Sound Strike donates over 40 tons of food and 2,000 toys to families affected by Arizona’s war on immigrants.
On December 18, 2010 the Sound Strike collaborated with several organizations to solicit, store and deliver food and toys to families. Many individuals across the country also helped by gathering toys, distributing them and by donating online.
- Girl in a Coma perform free show at Posada in Arizona
40 tons of food were distributed by PUENTE in Phoenix and surrounding areas via their Barrio Defense Committees (CDBs) . The Arizona Toy Drive was led by The Sound Strike, the National Day Labor Organizing Network (NDLON), AltoArizona, Presente.org, and community leaders. People across the country donated online, donated toys and some even came out to help give the toys out.
Artists also helped spread the word and came out to help out. “Arizona is one of the states that most deported immigrants this year and children in Arizona are paying the price. We thank everyone who helped to make this a huge success by doing what they can to bring some joy to families in these times of hardship,” said Favianna Rodriguez a Bay Area artist who designed the poster and joined the Posada on December 18th in Phoenix.
Together the groups were able to raise about $8,000 online and receive over 600 donated toys. Over 2,000 toys were donated by PUENTE’s Barrio Defense Committees (CDBs) while children enjoyed face painting, pinatas, live music and lunch.
For years Arizona has become ground zero for aggressive anti-migrant policies and tactics. While much of the attention has been focused on Arizona’s SB 1070, several additional enforcement programs unjustly crack down on migrant communities and have resulted in heart wrenching separation of families. Many children have had their parents deported or detained indefinitely and have been left to be cared for by neighbors, other family members and friends.
- Zack de la Rocha with Migrant Family at Posada
The Clinton era 287(g) Program provides federal resources for enforcement and detention of immigrants. Sheriff Joe Arpaio is currently under federal investigation for alleged abuses of these funds. President Obama added his own punitive program, inaccurately named, “Secure Communities” to provide database communications between law enforcement agencies. While popular with anti-migrant extremists, prison construction, computer and software companies the human toll of these policies have been a trail of tears and heartaches.
“Hundreds of fathers and mothers are taken from their children every day. While we continue to fight for our rights we want to help put a smile on the faces of the little chavalitos and chavalitas (youngsters) and hope the staple foods help to ease the burden on the families,” said Carlos Garcia an organizer with PUENTE in Arizona.
With your help this was a success and we hope to be able to do it again next year.
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