News and Commentary
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Press inquiries should be directed to the TASC Group at workerscircle@thetascgroup.com; 347-901-9352.
In Response to the Supreme Court’s TPS Decision
In a 6-3 vote, the Supreme Court has ruled that the court cannot review the government’s decisions to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Syria and Haiti.
Ann Toback, CEO of the Workers Circle responds.
Noelle Damico’s Response to ICE Spokesperson’s Statement about Alligator Alcatraz
“As Floridians will remember, Alligator Alcataraz was opened during hurricane season last year, so their belated concern for the welfare of people detained at Alligator Alcatraz – people who they have shackled and put in torture boxes, denied medical treatment, pepper-bombed, given rotten food – strains credulity.:
Ann Toback’s Statement on Blank Check for ICE
“Congress just voted to direct $70 billion more in taxpayer dollars to ICE and Customs and Border Patrol — more than triple its last annual budget — despite them fomenting widespread terror in communities across the country.”
The Workers Circle and Community Catalyst, Arianne Betancourt, featured in the Daily Beast
In case you missed it, The Daily Beast featured a story about Workers Circle organizer Arianne Betancourt and the Workers Circle’s efforts: “A woman helped free her father from a detention facility once described as ‘a copy of Guantánamo’—catching the president’s attention.”
“‘Alligator Alcatraz’ detainees say guards deny them food and clean water until they sign English documents” The Workers Circle featured in the Guardian
Detainees say they’re given ‘rotten’ water and denied meals for not signing papers in English that they don’t understand. Noelle Damico, Director of Social Justice at the Workers Circle, believes it is connected to reports of the facility closing.
In Mother Jones: Trump Congratulated Him on His Freedom. Alligator Alcatraz Left Him With a Stroke.
In case you missed it, Mother Jones featured the story of how the Freedom Vigils outside so-called Alligator Alcatraz helped Arianne Betancourt to free her father, Justo Betancourt, and how the fight continues until it is shut down for good and all detainees are released.
In Newsweek: Who Is Justo Betancourt? Trump Welcomes Alligator Alcatraz Detainee Release
President Donald Trump has given a "welcome home" to Justo Betancourt, a Cuban-born Miami resident who spent months in federal immigration detention in the Florida Everglades facility dubbed Alligator Alcatraz.
Photo credit: Jose Meija
Workers Circle and Sanctuary of the South Launch Unprecedented Campaign: No Human Being in Alligator Alcatraz Left Without Counsel
The Workers Circle and Sanctuary of the South (SOS) are stepping in. The two organizations have joined forces to launch an unprecedented intervention: to give every unrepresented person detained in Alligator Alcatraz sound legal counsel, and a real shot at securing their release. If they are transferred, that support will go with them.
Photo credit: Jose Meija
GTFO ICE Call to Action – Freedom Vigils
On their first national call, GTFO ICE highlighted an action all members can take - attending or creating a Freedom Vigil in your area.
Voices of the Families of People Detained, Tortured Immigrants at Alligator Alcatraz, together with Faith and Community Allies, Turn the Tide at Illegal Everglades Detention Center Alligator Alcatraz
More than 40 straight weeks of freedom vigil protests, congressional testimony, and tireless media efforts by families and allies cast stark light on shameful abuse of, discrimination against immigrants.
Continued Operation of Alligator Alcatraz Imposes an Unacceptable Cost, Both Financial and Moral
Workers Circle condemns the ongoing operation of the detention center known as Alligator Alcatraz and calls for its immediate closure.
The Legacy of Jewish Worker Organizing That Brought Us to This May Day
A century of Jewish labor organizing centered on solidarity has helped lead us to this moment.
Our response to Louisiana v. Callais
In a 6-3 decision in Louisiana v. Callais, the Supreme Court ruled that Louisiana’s second majority-Black congressional district is unconstitutional. This is our response.
Defiance Podcast: Stop ICE Camps
Noelle Damico, Director of Social Justice, and Arianne Betancourt, Community Catalyst at the Workers Circle, went on the Defiance Daily Podcast to speak about our Freedom Vigils.
'Monument to the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising' moves to Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County
In 1976, the Workers Circle, a Jewish social justice organization, commissioned “Monument to the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising," which was displayed in its New York City headquarters until 2011, when the sculpture was relocated to storage during an office move until the right home could be found for it.
The Workers Circle among 200 Orgs and Experts Call for an End to Trump’s Threats of War Crimes and Call for Accountability
Workers Circle Joins 200+ Organizations Warning Against Escalation with Iran.
Workers Circle Advocacy Spurs Senate Probe into Alligator Alcatraz Abuse Allegations
A Florida immigration detention site known as “Alligator Alcatraz” is under investigation by U.S. senators following serious allegations of abuse and torture
In the New York Times: Florida’s Immigration Crackdown Underscores Urgency of Our Vigil Work
As Florida ramps up immigration enforcement and arrests, advocates like the Workers Circle warn of growing fear — underscoring the need for public solidarity and vigil.
Freedom Vigil at ICE Washington Field Office in Chantilly, VA Calls for Dignity, Transparency, and Accountability
Community members, advocates, and faith leaders will gather for the first-ever Freedom Vigil at the ICE Washington Field Office in Chantilly, Virginia, calling attention to the expansion of immigration detention and its impact on individuals and families.
Freedom Vigil at Alligator Alcatraz featured in Mother Jones
In case you missed it, Mother Jones featured a story about Workers Circle organizer Arianne Betancourt and the Workers Circle’s efforts to organize vigils outside of the inhumane immigrant detention center known as Alligator Alcatraz.