The Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CCASA) is made up of survivors, victim advocates, and organizations working to prevent sexual violence, change systems, and help survivors heal.
When we talk about our commitment to anti-oppression work, we mean that it is a practice — it’s how we show up for our communities and take an active role in dismantling systems of oppression, which are the root of sexual violence.
We are horrified and heartbroken to witness the escalating violence against our neighbors and communities across the country from federal agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP).
Following federal agents’ recent killings of Alex Pretti and Renée Good in Minnesota and many other deaths at the hands of federal agents that haven’t received the same widespread attention — including Geraldo Lunas Campos, Keith Porter Jr., and countless others — communities are coming together on Friday, January 30, to send a powerful message to leaders in Congress:
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. DEFUND ICE NOW.
CCASA is proud to take part in tomorrow’s National Shutdown — a day where individuals are encouraged to stay home from work, not attend school, and refrain from shopping. We have signed on as an official supporting organization, and our team members have CCASA’s support however they choose to participate.
The anti-sexual violence movement has many intersections with the fight for immigrant rights. Some survivors arrive in the U.S. after fleeing their home country to escape violence. There are also staggeringly high rates of abuse in U.S. immigrant detention facilities.
Immigrant survivors and survivors impacted by state violence already face longstanding, systemic barriers to finding care and support.
The government’s continued normalization of violence against these communities not only makes recovery more difficult for survivors, but it also creates conditions that perpetuate sexual violence and make all of us less safe.
To immigrant communities and those standing with them here in Colorado and everywhere: we are with you.
You can learn more about the National Shutdown at nationalshutdown.org.
Sincerely,
Brie Franklin, CCASA Executive Director