Author Archives: ravidefense

Ravi’s Letter From an Immigration Jail

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Ravi Ragbir dictated the following to Rhiya Trivedi:

I’m doing ok. It was a wild and crazy ride. Every moment was uncertain except the certainty that they wanted me gone. I’m still here because of all of you. Thank you.

I miss everyone. I feel very heartbroken to see how many of you are suffering for me; how people were abused during the process. I feel heartbroken that care for someone evokes violence.

I want everyone to stand strong. At the moment, we need to speak about changing the system so that no one has to face this type of harm. Not just for me but for all the families who face being torn apart.

Until we get reform, we need to repeal the act that criminalizes immigrants – that makes us less than human because of a document.

I call upon immigrants: if you need help, reach out the New Sanctuary Coalition and they will fight for you as they do for me. I call upon citizens to answer the call for immigrants who are afraid and who need help standing up. Please accompany them at every step.

I know that I will see you soon.

Remarks by Rev. Kaji Douša at 1/15 Press Conference

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The Rev. Kaji Douša is Senior Minister of Park Avenue Christian Church:

It used to be that I spent my days commemorating Dr. King’s birth on the path of least resistance: participating in interfaith park cleanups and the like. This felt safest to organizers. 50 years after Dr. King was murdered, we understand that the safe road is no longer viable. We understand that we indeed must resist. My grandfather stood shoulder to shoulder with Dr. King, stood on the dais for the March on Washington. My mother dodged bullets with King in rural Mississippi. The work of the activist is, unfortunately but necessarily dangerous. Continue reading →

Press Release: Two hundred, including Faith leaders and Elected Officials, Gather in Solidarity for Release of Immigrant Rights Leaders Ravi Ragbir and Jean Montrevil on MLK Day

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New York, NY: [Hundreds] gathered at a vigil in Washington Square Park and Judson Memorial Church to show solidarity with all those affected by the deportation machine, including immigrant rights leaders Ravi Ragbir and Jean Montrevil. Mr. Ragbir is the Executive Director of the New Sanctuary Coalition of New York City, and Jean Montrevil is one of its founders. Mr. Ragbir was detained on Thursday January 11, one week after ICE detained Mr. Montrevil. Today, faith leaders, elected officials, and immigration and legal advocates gathered in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to condemn the institutional oppression of marginalized communities and held a “Jericho Walk” in Washington Square Park, around Ai Wei Wei’s “Arch” migration sculpture.

New Sanctuary Coalition and Judson Memorial Church just became aware this morning that Jean Montrevil’s final appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) was denied on January 12. We believe he may be deported to Haiti imminently. We were not informed of the BIA decision directly, but encountered it by chance on the BIA website today. Mr. Montrevil’s lawyer has filed a petition for review (appeal) with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. His legal team has reason to believe that an official from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in New York inappropriately influenced the timing of this decision, if not the outcome of the decision itself and that this interference was improper. His lawyer is also filing an emergency motion for stay in the same court, as well as with the Federal District Court.

For press photos and video, please visit: http://bit.ly/mlk-day-ragbir-montrevil

Amy Gottlieb, Mr. Ragbir’s wife and Associate Director at the American Friends Service Committee, said, “After seeing my husband through a plexiglass window at Krome Detention Center yesterday, I felt inspired as I walked out of the visitation room by his willingness to continue fighting against injustice. As I feel the trauma and violence of having Ravi torn away from me, and see that this is retaliation against him and others around the country, I share his commitment to keep up the struggle and win.”

Janay Cauthen, Mr. Montrevil’s former wife and mother of his children, said, “ICE abruptly and unnecessarily took Jean away from his family without warning. Antoine, Janiah, Jahsiah & Jamya deserve to have their dad with them NOW! Bring Jean Home Now! Jean should not continue to be dehumanized by unjust immigration laws. Why must ICE punish him over and over for something that happened almost 3 decades ago for which he already served his sentence?”

Rev. Kaji Douša, Co-Chair of the New Sanctuary Coalition and Senior Minister, Park Avenue Christian Church, said, “Deportation is an act of evil perpetrated by our government, primarily against people who come from the countries that the President has so shamelessly recently disparaged. Mass detention and deportation may be presented as inevitable, but in truth it is the result of choice. Our activism is all about igniting and inspiring different choices. We choose justice over unjust laws. We choose humans over the mechanisms of evil. God is watching and so are we. We are joined in solidarity to ensure the government makes the right choice.”

Donna Schaper, Senior Minister, Judson Memorial Church, said, “We now have reason to believe that Jean will be deported tomorrow, having abruptly and mysteriously lost his Board of Immigration Appeals case. We are looking into the possibility of undue and inappropriate influence by ICE in this decision. Pray with me that ICE will find a way to do the right thing and keep Jean with his congregation and his children.”

Alina Das, Co-Director of the NYU Immigrant Rights Clinic and counsel to Mr. Ragbir, said, “People of conscience should be deeply disturbed by the targeting of immigrant rights leaders like Ravi Ragbir and Jean Montrevil. While we challenge the government’s unlawful actions in the courts, the most important struggle is the one that Ravi and Jean have championed themselves—bringing communities together to support the rights of all people living in this country.”

Sara Gozalo, Supervising Coordinator at the New Sanctuary Coalition, said, “Ravi and Jean represent what the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency fear most, leaders who refuse to live in the shadows and continue to shed a bright light into their injustice and racism. The intimidating and oppressing tactics of ICE will not deter the New Sanctuary Coalition’s staff, our immigrant community, our faith leaders nor our volunteers from our unapologetic efforts to stop detentions and deportations. The New Sanctuary Coalition  stands publicly in solidarity with families and communities resisting detention and deportation.”

New York City Councilmember, Jumaane Williams, one of the 18 arrested on Thursday January 11 after ICE arrested Ravi, said, “Trump’s recent comments have made clear what we’ve always known—he opposes all immigrants from black and brown countries. The detaining of Jean Montrevil and Ravi Ragbir by Trump’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency stands as a human example of this attitude. Those that find the President’s words, and the views that portray, abhorrent should take a stand. Not to do so is to tacitly condone the overt racism of the President of the United States. “

Ben Ndugga-Kabuye of the Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI), said, “Jean Montrevil and Ravi Ragbir represent thousands every day whose human rights are taken by the largest immigration detention system in the world. Respecting and expanding the rights of immigrants is the first step towards justice and we join hands with all who commit to this journey.”

To learn more about Mr. Ragbir’s story and advocacy,  visit ravidefense.wordpress.com/ and listen to the Indefensible Podcast here: immdefense.org/indefensible-episode-5/

To learn more about Mr. Montrevil’s story and advocacy, visit: bit.ly/freejeannow

www.democracynow.org/2017/7/19/activist_father_of_four_faces_deportation

To join the conversation on social media, please use hashtags #IStandwithRavi
and #FreeJeanNow.

 

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Mon. 1/15 in NYC: MLK Solidarity Day for the Release of Immigrant Rights Leaders Ravi Ragbir and Jean Montrevil

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US-ART-CHINA-AI WEIWEI

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

 MLK SOLIDARITY DAY FOR THE RELEASE OF IMMIGRANT RIGHTS LEADERS RAVI RAGBIR AND JEAN MONTREVIL

 Vigil to Be Held at Washington Square Park

Press Conference to Follow at Judson Memorial Church

WHAT: Rally to call for the immediate release of immigrant rights leaders, Ravi Ragbir, Executive Director of New Sanctuary Coalition of New York City, and Co-Founder Jean Montrevil. Mr. Ragbir was detained on Thursday while reporting to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for a routine check-in. Mr. Ragbir’s detention comes just one week after ICE detained Jean Montrevil, another immigrant rights leader.

In the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., faith leaders, elected officials, and immigration and legal advocates will come together to condemn the institutional oppression of marginalized communities and hold a “Jericho Walk” in Washington Square Park, around Ai Wei Wei’s “Arch” migration sculpture. A press conference will be held following the vigil to call for Mr. Montrevil and Mr. Ragbir’s release, and to honor the 18 people who were arrested putting their bodies on the line in the tradition of peaceful civil disobedience in defense of Mr. Ragbir.

In the face of Trump’s unprecedented assault on immigrant communities and blatant racism, the fight for the rights and dignity of immigrants is more important than ever.  Trump’s recent disparaging remarks about immigrants from Caribbean, Central American, and African countries highlight the critical need for continued resistance and unity.

SPEAKERS: New York City Councilmembers Jumaane Williams and Ydanis Rodriguez, who were among the 18 people arrested in an act of civil disobedience during Thursday’s solidarity vigil; Rev. Kaji Douša, whose grandfather stood with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as he delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial; Rev. Donna Schaper, civil rights leader and senior minister at Judson Memorial Church; Alina Das, Professor at New York School of Law and legal counsel to Ravi Ragbir; and loved ones of Jean and Ravi.

WHERE: Washington Square Arch & Judson Memorial Church, 55 Washington Square S, New York, NY 10012 

WHEN: Monday, January 15

Media are also invited earlier events at the church the same day:

To join the conversation on social, please use hashtags #IStandwithRavi and #FreeJeanNow.

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Updated: Urgent Action Needed for Ravi Ragbir!

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UPDATED Jan. 13:

Action Alert_Jan 12th

Ravi Ragbir was detained today by ICE during a regular check-in appointment.

We need your help to secure his release & halt his deportation.

Here are ways you can help us secure Ravi’s immediate release:

1.        CALL THE FOLLOWING ICE OFFICES:

  • NYC ICE FIELD OFFICE DIRECTOR: 212-238-4530
  • NYC ICE FIELD OFFICE: 212-264-4213
  • ICE OFFICE OF POLICY: 202-732-4292

You can use the following script: “Hi, my name is ___________, and I am calling to request that ICE release Ravi Ragbir, A Number: 044-248-862. Ravi was detained today in New York City. Ravi is a husband, father, and a cherished community leader, and we need him here in the United States. I respectfully ask you to release him from detention and grant him a new stay of removal. Thank you.”

2.        CALL YOUR LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS:

  • If you live in New York, call:
  • Nydia Velasquez: 202-225-2361
  • Adrianao Espaillat: 202-225-4365
  • Yvette Clark: 202-225-6231
  • Jerold Nadler: 202-225-5635
  • If you live outside of New York, call your local representatives in congress. You can find their contact information here.

Script: “Hello, my name is ___, and I calling about Ravi Ragbir, A Number: 044-248-862. Ravi was detained today in New York City. Ravi is a husband, father, and cherished community leader, and we need him here in the United States. I respectfully ask you to meet with DHS Secretary Nielsen and urge her to release Ravi from detention and grant him a new stay of removal. Thank you.”

3.        SHARE the below image widely on social media using #IStandWithRavi

Action Alert_Jan 12th

Legal Update on the Detention of Immigrant Rights Leader Ravi Ragbir [Updated]

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UPDATED JANUARY 12, 2018

On January 11, 2018, Ravi Ragbir, a nationally recognized immigrant rights leader and Executive Director of the New Sanctuary Coalition of New York City, was detained while reporting to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for a routine check-in.

Upon his detention, Mr. Ragbir’s attorneys filed a lawsuit challenging ICE’s actions in federal court in downtown Manhattan (Ragbir v. Sessions, No. 18-cv-00236, S.D.N.Y.). A copy of the lawsuit is available here. The federal court has ordered a hearing on January 29, 2018, to consider whether the actions of ICE are lawful, and issued both a temporary stay of removal and a temporary order preventing Mr. Ragbir’s transfer away from his family and counsel in the New York region pending consideration of the case. However, ICE’s detainee locator system currently lists Mr. Ragbir as being detained at Krome Detention Facility in Florida. Mr. Ragbir’s family and community supporters continue to demand Mr. Ragbir’s immediate release, and Mr. Ragbir’s lawyers are working to ensure his return to the New York region and his family.

UPDATE: Because Mr. Ragbir remains in Florida, Mr. Ragbir’s lawyers filed a motion to enforce the court’s temporary order preventing transfer from the New York region. The government filed a motion to vacate both the temporary stay and the temporary order regarding the transfer. A hearing on these motions will be held on January 16, 2018.

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