NEW GRANTS
Mom Assaulted $4200 for recreational activities, a computer and a Carry it Forward (CIF) award[1] for the five children, ages 12 to 23, whose mom fought against the construction of a pipeline. She was physically attacked multiple times and received death threats against herself and her kids; eventually she moved to keep her family safe, which resulted in losing her income. NM
Immigrant Parents Face Backlash $3600 for two computers and a CIF award for the three children, ages 14 to 22, whose parents speak out and organize events in support of humane immigration policy despite having been forced into sanctuary. They are facing scrutiny and unusual treatment by ICE as a result. Location Withheld
Mom Charged $3300 for a computer, recreational activities and a CIF award for the three kids, ages 16 to 20, whose mom has spent 25 years as an indigenous and environmental rights activist. She was arrested for a nonviolent action blocking construction of a pipeline, and due to recent legislation that targets pipeline protests, now faces two felonies. LA
Father Flees $1600 for childcare and a CIF award for two daughters, ages three and 21, whose father faced persecution for his activism in his home country and escaped to the U.S. after several of his comrades were killed or imprisoned. He is involved with prison solidarity work and continues his human rights advocacy. NY
Dad Falsely Accused $1000 for educational support for the 14 year old son whose father spent decades litigating against a large oil company, and achieved a historic victory. As a result, the company has relentlessly targeted him, resulting in significant financial loss and possible jail time due to witness tampering. NY
Adoptive Dad Thwarted by Felonies $1000 for sports expenses for the son, age 13,whose father has been arrested more than 100 times for his direct actions related to peace and social justice. He has two felonies for actions he took more than 20 years ago; these convictions have kept him from being able to legally adopt his son. DC
CIVIL LIBERTIES
Activist Moms Forced out of Work $5600 for school tuition and tutoring for four children, ages 14 to 18, from two families whose mothers were both fired after advocating for equality and inclusion. GA, MI
Mom Harassed $2000 for gymnastics and athletic expenses for two siblings, ages four and 17, whose mom chose to go public about being stopped by a Customs and Border Patrol agent because she was speaking Spanish. She took legal action and had to move to escape the harassment she endured for speaking out. Location withheld
Father’s Career Sabotaged $800 for sports programming for the 13-year-old son whose dad, an independent journalist, was fired and blacklisted for expressing progressive views and covering controversial topics. MN
ENVIRONMENTAL & ANIMAL RIGHTS
Parents Fight to Protect Environment $20,100 for a broad range of programs for 14 children, ages four to 19, from five families. Some parents were beaten and arrested while marching against environmental racism, others were attacked and/or imprisoned for their community organizing work. CA, FL, GA
Pipeline Protestor Imprisoned $3500 for music lessons, a violin and homeschool supplies for four children, ages nine to 14, whose father helped shut down a pipeline to bring attention to the fossil fuel industry and now faces a felony charge. WI
Animal Rights Activist Incarcerated $1500 for music classes and a computer for the 17-year-old daughter whose father was jailed for destroying traps set for mountain lions and now advocates for wolves. AZ
Anti-Environmental Racism Activists Targeted $1700 for tutoring and sports equipment for two boys from two families whose parents and guardians have organized against processing plants being placed in their predominantly Black communities. A lawsuit filed by one company names one of the women, and both have been harassed by local officials. AL
GENDER EQUALITY, LGBTQ, & REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
Daughters Assaulted $2000 for school tuition for the 13 and 18-year-old siblings whose family had to flee their home country after their mother and two sisters were brutalized for the mom’s work against female genital mutilation. NY
Mother Threatened with Loss of Son $1400 for equine therapy for the 12-year-old daughter whose mother, an LGBTQ rights activist, was threatened by the state with the removal of her older child because of her organizing. OR
Mom Fights to End Torture $500 for volleyball for the 15-year-old daughter whose mother provided advocacy and assistance to women whose rights had been violated in their home country. She was detained and arrested before seeking refuge in the U.S. IL
HUMAN RIGHTS
Mother Beaten $2700 for tutoring and drivers education for two sisters, ages 15 and 16, whose mother organized against government corruption in her home nation. She came to the U.S. after the military harassed and assaulted her. IL
Mom Fights for Indigenous Rights $2000 for swimming lessons and home school supplies for the two siblings, ages four and six, whose mom was repeatedly stalked and threatened for her efforts to change Columbus Day to Indigenous People’s Day. NM
Indigenous Family Suffers Retaliation $1400 for orthodontia for the 13-year-old whose grandmother’s efforts to hold her tribal leader accountable for human rights violations resulted in losing employment and health insurance, causing significant hardship. NY
Family Attacked $1260 for tutoring and outdoor activities for the 13-year-old son whose father was forced into exile for his efforts to end political violence. He was harassed and jailed, family members were beaten, and the son was threatened. MA
Mother Forced to Flee $1100 for tutoring for the son, age 12, whose mother was forced to leave their home country after witnessing the assassination of a doctor. She supported his efforts for patients’ rights to health care; after the murder, soldiers killed the other witness and assaulted her. IL
Father Jailed, Tortured $650 for educational support for the 18-year-old daughter whose father was a leader in the fight against human rights violations in his home country. He was imprisoned and tortured before escaping with his daughters to the U.S. IL
IMMIGRANTS’ RIGHTS
Father Deported $2680 for athletic gear, school supplies, drivers education and a CIF award for three siblings, ages 13 to 21. ICE detained and deported their father, despite his pending case, in an apparent act of retaliation for his years of leadership within the immigrants’ rights movement. Location withheld
Mom Faces Retaliation for Immigrants’ Rights Advocacy $1900 for childcare and outdoor activities for the two sons, ages four and 11, whose mother became a vocal activist from sanctuary. The boys’ father, previously unknown to ICE, was detained in probable retaliation for his wife’s activism, while she and her support network continue to face persecution. Location withheld
Dad Targeted While in Sanctuary $985 for driver’s education and educational support for two brothers, ages 16 and 17, whose father is an immigrants’ rights leader. Since being denied a stay of deportation and entering sanctuary, DHS and ICE officials have escalated threats and pressure against him. Location withheld
LABOR & ECONOMIC JUSTICE
Father Disabled by Police Beating $4200 for support services for three siblings, ages nine to ten, whose father, a whistleblower for worker and consumer safety, was laid off and harassed, then arrested and attacked by police. Despite multiple surgeries, he is incapacitated and partially paralyzed. MA
Moms Fired for Advocacy $4100 for school tuition and sports camp for three kids, ages eight to 12, from two families whose mothers were both fired for organizing on the job. One fought for fair working practices and the other on behalf of students with special needs. GA, MS
Moms Face Backlash $2825 for a CIF award, computer and extracurricular activities for three sons, ages nine to 19, from two families, whose moms faced retaliation for their advocacy for low-income folks. One was threatened with prison, the other lost everything when she was illegally evicted after opening a restaurant offering meals for the homeless, space for organizers and jobs for underserved youth. GA, TX
Mother Jailed $2000 for school supplies for two kids, ages 13 and 17, whose mother helped lead a movement to assert public housing residents’ rights to return home after Hurricane Katrina. In retaliation, she was harassed and jailed on false assault charges. LA
Union Leader Imprisoned $1500 for martial arts classes for the 15-year-old son whose anti-war activist father fought for workers’ rights and co-founded an immigrant advocacy collective. He was arrested on politically motivated charges and has been incarcerated since 2012. FL
PEACE
Children and Parents Working Together for Peace $12,240 for music lessons, childcare, tuition, home school supplies, a computer and a CIF award for 13 children, ages two to 18, from six families who are members of pacifist communities. Parents and teenage children have engaged in peaceful anti-war protests and many of the parents have been imprisoned for civil disobedience. ME, NY, NC, VA, WA
Support for Children of Torture Survivors $3500 for a group grant for music therapy and Chromebooks for kids whose activist parents survived torture in their home countries. The program serves 19 children, ages three to 18, from nine refugee families in which at least one parent was a targeted pro-democracy activist. IL
Muslim Peace Activist Targeted $2300 for a computer and a CIF award two children, ages 14 and 18, whose father was convicted of terrorist-related money laundering after an FBI sting targeted him for his public anti-war activities and support for a local Mosque. NY
Dad Charged for Protesting with his Children $1900 for a computer, art supplies, and adaptive devices for two siblings, ages 15 and 17, whose father was arrested at a peaceful demonstration and faced additional charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor for bringing his children with him to the event. NC
Father Threatened, Home Raided $1000 for sports programs for the 15-year-old daughter whose father refuses to testify before a grand jury investigating anti-war activists. IL
PRISONERS’ RIGHTS / U.S. POLITICAL PRISONERS
Sons of Political Prisoners Targeted $6600 for school tuition and gardening equipment for five kids, ages nine to 16, from two families whose fathers are both children of political prisoners. Their activism on behalf of political prisoners’ rights has resulted in police harassment and lost jobs. GA, PA
Dad Punished for Anti-Prison Art $3920 for music lessons and an Attica Prison Visit grant [2] for the seven and 11-year-old daughters whose incarcerated father advocates for prison abolition in his poetry and writing. His views have resulted in prolonged periods in solitary confinement, violent attacks and denial of communication with his family. CO
Mother Threatened for Helping Prisoners $2800 for cultural programs for the six and nine-year-old sons whose mother created an alternative program for inmates at a federal penitentiary. She was accused of conspiring with a political prisoner and threatened with prosecution. NY
Former Political Prisoner Faces Harassment $2800 for school tuition for the 12-year-old twins whose father was incarcerated for anti-apartheid efforts and continues to face ongoing targeting for his work to free political prisoners. MA
Mother Harassed for Prisoner Support $2600 for educational support and CIF awards for four siblings, ages 17 to 21, whose mother spoke out against inhumane treatment of prisoners while she was incarcerated. She continues to organize despite experiencing significant physical and verbal harassment from prison guards and officials. AL
Dad Fights Prison System $2000 for educational support for two kids, ages 11 and 15, whose dad has fought for political prisoners and victims of police brutality since 2002. His reputation has cost him work and led to overzealous prosecution of a civil complaint, resulting in four years of incarceration that still impacts his kids. GA
RACIAL JUSTICE
Fathers Targeted for Anti-Racist Activism $8,300 for tuition and cultural programming for eight kids, ages eight to 15, from four families, whose dads faced repression for their racial justice organizing. Two lost jobs, one was arrested more than 40 times, others faced surveillance, arrest and harassment. CO, GA
Moms Blacklisted $5400 for tutoring, athletic expenses, a computer, and cultural programming for six children, ages nine to 18, from two families, whose mothers were both targeted for their anti-racist organizing in the workplace, fired without cause and have been prevented from working in their fields. GA, OK
Family Forced to Move $2500 for a computer and two CIF awards for the 18 and 20-year-old siblings whose family was targeted by local officials and had to relocate twice after their mother’s prominent roles in several high-profile racial justice campaigns. CA
Teacher Threatened $2400 for childcare and school tuition for two brothers, ages three and 15, whose father advocated for fair treatment of a student who responded to a classmate’s racist comments. He lost his job, was ostracized, received hate mail and death threats, and attacks at his home, forcing the family to move. GA
Family Threatened by KKK $1950 for school tuition and drivers education for the 15 and 18-year-old daughters of an activist who received death threats from the Klan for her efforts to desegregate a public housing complex. OR
Mom Persists Despite Violent Intimidation $1700 for a computer for the 17-year-old daughter whose uncle was beaten to death by police and whose mom has organized to demand justice for her brother and other victims of police violence. Their car has been keyed and tires slashed dozens of times, and they have both received death threats, forcing them to move. MD
ATTICA AWARDS $2000 for the 19 year old daughter of a political prisoner who has been incarcerated since 2009 on terrorism charges for providing humanitarian aid to families abroad. TX
CIF AWARDS $600 for a CIF Award for textbooks and school supplies for the 20 year old son whose mom has been arrested, beaten and jailed for her racial justice activism. OR
GROCERY GIFT CARDS $18,400 to provide a $200 grocery card for all eligible RFC beneficiary families.