FRIDAY: Tell Israel - Stop the Deportations




Join us this Friday, 2/16 to stop the forced deportations of African refugees from Holot Detention Center, the first set of which the Israeli government is scheduled to begin within a few days. An estimated 40,000 refugees are facing forced removal to Rwanda or other African countries where they will face persecution, violence, enslavement, or death.

African refugees facing deportation will be protesting, and the Jews of Color Caucus Organizing in Partnership with JVP has issued a call for protests and vigils in solidarity in the U.S. and around the world.

RSVP on Facebook and share widely to join us this Friday, February 16, at 4:00 pm at 500 W. Madison St. in front of the Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest (which is located inside Ogilvie Transportation Center) to oppose these deportations!

We will demand that Israel immediately:

1) Cease the deportation of African refugees,
2) Meet its obligations under international law and grant them refugee status, and
3) Stop the official campaign of discrimination and hate against them.

Rabbi Brant Rosen will lead us in the Mourner's Kaddish to honor the refugees whose lives have already been lost as a result of their deportation, and we will be joined by Kofi Ademola of the Movement for Black Lives. After a brief program, we will flier commuters to urge them to take action to help us stop the deportations.

RSVP here to join us on Friday at 4:00 pm, and please share widely!

Refugee activists have made clear to us that every act of solidarity gives them hope and support to keep fighting and renews their strength in rejecting forcible deportation. We'll be posting pictures and video on social media to amplify their voice!

The Jewish principle of Pikuach Nefesh (literally, “saving a life”) holds that the preservation of human life overrides all other religious considerations and requires that a person do everything in their power to save a person’s life. These refugees’ lives are at stake.

Hope to see you Friday,

Michael Deheeger
JVP-Chicago Organizer

P.S. Join us at our next JVP-Chicago chapter meeting on Sunday, March 4 from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm, just southwest of Downtown Chicago. This is a great opportunity to get to know other active members in Chicago, learn about the work we’re doing, and participate in important conversations about our organizing.