There are more activists events in the Free Press Calendar

Friday, February 6, 3pm
Liberation Center, 1004 Parsons Ave.

A broad coalition of immigrant rights organizations, human rights groups, and progressive movements, have announced a statewide day of action in solidarity with the Haitian community facing precarious legal limbo. The Trump administration has repeatedly announced its intention to strip Temporary Protected Status for 300,000+ Haitians across the United States. Springfield is home to nearly 15,000 Haitian-Ohioans, roughly 25 percent of the city’s population, with an additional 30,000+ across Columbus and the broader Central Ohio area. Despite the federal court’s stay on the end of TPS, organizations including the Party for Socialism and Liberation, Defans Karayib, United Methodist Church for All People, CAIR Ohio, About Face, Columbus Muslim American Society, Rep. Munira Abdullahi, Ohio Student Association-OSU, Rep. Tristan Rader, and more are continuing their call to action. A press conference will be held Feb. 6th, at 3PM, at 1004 Parsons Ave (Columbus Liberation Center) to speak more about the action.

Speaking on the demands of the movement, PSL organizer Deja Gaston says: 

“We know that legal victories like these are often temporary. Instead of targeting and criminalizing Haitians, we must defend and expand Protected Status! Now is the moment for all Ohioans to mobilize against ICE across the state. This legal victory for the movement is just the first step. In order to beat ICE and Trump’s racist deportation agenda we have to expand the fight back. Minnesota has shown us the power we have when we strike against ICE– now, it's Ohio’s turn to lead the way!”

Haitian community organizer Yola Marj says:

“The federal court’s ruling is not an extension, it’s not a continuation, it’s an injunction. This precarious ruling is a small victory in our larger fight for protected status. We have to keep up the fight!” 

Demonstrations have been called in Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, and Toledo to demand an end to the attacks on the Haitian community, rallying to expand TPS into Permanent Protected Status - Columbus Protest Saturday, February 7 at 1pm at Goodale Park