NEW GRANTS

Hunger Strikers Targeted $12,750 for therapy, childcare and educational support for eight children, ages two to 12, from four families whose fathers all participated in a hunger strike at a detention center to protest their detention and the unsafe conditions during the pandemic. As a result of the strike, the dads were placed in dry cells without access to running water, threatened with deportation and told they would not be eligible for release and taunted by prison guards. Location Withheld

Professor Fired for Speaking Out $2000 for childcare for the two-year-old son whose dad, a racial justice activist, clashed with administrators over his outspoken condemnation of the university's racist past, inadequate response to recent racial incidents on campus, and the university's continued ties to major donors who profit from prisons; as a result, his contract was not renewed. OR

Daughter Denied Scholarship A CIF Award1 for the 21-year-old daughter of an environmental and racial justice activist who runs a podcast that amplifies the voices of those experiencing oppression. Due to her podcast, this mom has been removed from Boards and denied jobs in her field. The harassment extended to the daughter, who was denied a scholarship and chose to attend college out-of-state to try to escape the targeting the family experienced. AL

CIVIL LIBERTIES

Activist Tortured $7500 for educational supplies for four children, ages six to 13, whose family fled the U.S. to escape the FBI’s harassment of their father for his outspoken opposition to U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. He was arrested and tortured before being extradited back to the U.S., forcing the family to relocate once again. GA

Activist Moms Forced out of Work $5100 for school tuition, tutoring and a CIF award for four children, ages 15 to 19, from two families whose mothers were both fired after advocating for equality and inclusion for their students. GA, MI

Fathers Fired $5000 for educational and extracurricular programs for three children, ages two to 14, from two families whose fathers faced harassment and lost jobs due to their involvement in various social justice movements. CA, MN

Journalist Stabbed $1500 for educational support for the seven-year-old daughter whose father, a journalist, was attacked while covering a neo-Nazi rally. CA

Organizer Serving 28 Years $1000 for interactive fitness equipment for the 18-year-old daughter whose father was a leader of an organization committed to Black and Brown unity and human and civil rights. He was convicted of racketeering and sentenced to decades in prison despite maintaining his innocence. NC

Mom Harassed $1000 for gymnastics for the five-year-old daughter 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 subsequent harassment. Location withheld

ENVIRONMENTAL & ANIMAL RIGHTS

Parents Fight to Protect Environment $20,260 for a broad range of programs for 13 children, ages five to 18, from five families. Some parents were beaten and arrested while marching against environmental racism; others were attacked and/or imprisoned for their community organizing and animal rights efforts. CA, FL, GA, AZ

Pipeline Protestors Assaulted & Arrested $7200 for recreational activities, speech therapy and driving school for six children, ages 10 to 18, from three families whose parents fought against pipelines. One mom was physically attacked numerous times and faced death threats, a dad was charged with a felony and is still awaiting trial. NM, WI

Environmental Lawyer Survives Assassination Attempt $2000 for a music program and tutoring for the 15-year-old son whose father lives in exile in the U.S. He faced threats to his life for his advocacy work in his home country for rural communities’ right to control natural resources autonomously. MA

Environmental Activists & Children Threatened $2000 for physical therapy for the 11-year-old son whose father and older brother faced death threats and the family dog was poisoned as a result of their work to protect the local water basin. LA

Father Falsely Accused $1500 for educational support and mental health services for the 15-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. NY

Anti-Environmental Racism Activist Targeted $1500 for recreational activities for the 17-year-old boy whose guardian is organizing against processing plants being placed in their predominantly Black community. One of the companies filed a lawsuit against her, and she faced harassment from local officials. AL

GENDER EQUALITY, LGBTQ & REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS

Mother Threatened with Loss of Son $1500 for equine therapy for the 13-year-old daughter whose mother, an LGBTQ rights activist, was threatened by the state with the removal of one of her children because of her organizing. OR

Daughters Assaulted $1000 for school tuition for the 14-year-old son whose family had to flee their home country after his mother and two sisters were brutalized for the mom’s work against female genital mutilation. NY

Mom Fights to End Torture $775 for volleyball programs for the 16-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

Mom Fights for Indigenous Rights $4000 for tutoring and recreational activities for the two siblings, ages five and seven, whose mom was repeatedly stalked and threatened for her efforts to change Columbus Day to Indigenous People’s Day. NM

Mother Forced to Flee $3200 for tutoring and summer camp for the two children, ages four and 13, whose mom 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 Forced to Leave Country $3000 for school tuition for two children, ages nine and 14, whose dad established an interfaith mosque to counteract society’s negative bias towards Muslims in the post-9/11 era. He faced harassment and detention by the FBI and local law enforcement and chose to leave the U.S. to end the persecution. NY

Father Flees $2100 for childcare and a CIF award for two daughters, ages four and 22, whose father, facing persecution for his activism in his home country, came to the U.S. after several of his comrades were killed or imprisoned. NY

Family Attacked $1588 for tutoring and summer camp for the 15-year-old son whose father was harassed and jailed, family members were beaten, and his son was threatened in his home country by officials opposed to his efforts to end political violence. The boy lives in the U.S. with his stepmother while his father continues his activism abroad. MA

Mother Beaten $1000 for a computer for the 17-year-old daughter whose mother organized against government corruption in her home nation. She came to the U.S. after the military harassed and assaulted her. IL

IMMIGRANTS' RIGHTS

Immigrants’ Rights Whistleblower Targeted $4500 for educational supplies for three children, ages 10 to 15, whose mother lost her job and faced threats for exposing flagrant disregard for health and safety as well as appalling medical malfeasance at her work. Location Withheld

Father Deported $3600 for French classes, school supplies, driving lessons and a CIF award for three siblings, ages 14 to 22, whose father was detained and deported by ICE, despite his pending case, in an apparent act of retaliation for his years of leadership within the immigrants’ rights movement. Location withheld

Immigrant Parents Face Backlash $3600 for educational supplies and a CIF award for three siblings, ages 15 to 23, whose parents speak out and organize events in support of humane immigration policy despite having previously been forced into sanctuary. They continue to face scrutiny and retaliatory treatment by ICE as a result. Location Withheld

Dad Targeted While in Sanctuary $3445 for recreational activities, driving lessons, and a computer for three children, ages 12 to 18, whose father is an immigrants’ rights leader. He was denied a stay of deportation and spent 3+ years in sanctuary, dealing with threats and pressure against him from DHS and ICE. He has since been able to leave sanctuary and return home to his family. Location withheld

Mom Faces Retaliation for Immigrants’ Rights Advocacy $2800 for childcare and summer camp for the two sons, ages five and 12, 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. Location withheld

LABOR & ECONOMIC JUSTICE

Father Disabled by Police Beating $4500 for support services for three siblings, ages 10 to 11, 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 $3840 for school tuition and a computer for three kids, ages nine to 13, 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

Sons Flee with Mother $2280 for music lessons, art programs and a CIF award for two sons, ages 17 and 20, whose mother was threatened with prison for trying to address the needs of low-income families. TX

Union Leader Imprisoned $2000 for martial arts classes for the 17-year-old son whose father fought for workers’ rights and co-founded an immigrant advocacy collective. He was arrested on politically motivated charges and has been in prison since 2012. FL

PEACE

Children and Parents Working Together $13,595 for a wide range of programs for 10 children, ages three to 19, from six families who are members of pacifist communities and/or peace activists. Parents and teenage children have engaged in peaceful anti-war protests and many of the parents have been imprisoned for civil disobedience. ME, NY, VA, WA, QC

Dad Charged for Protesting with his Children $4600 for a computer, recreational activities, a CIF award and an Attica grant2 for two siblings, ages 16 and 18, 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. He began serving time in federal prison during the pandemic after being convicted for additional peaceful protests. NC

Support for Children of Torture Survivors $3500 for a group grant for therapeutic outdoor activities for kids whose activist parents survived torture in their home countries. The program serves 15 children, ages eight to 19, from seven refugee families in which at least one parent was a targeted pro-democracy activist. IL

Father Fights to Stop Witch Hunts $2000 for sports programs for the 15-year-old daughter whose father, a member of a peace and international solidarity group, had his home raided and was threatened with arrest, but refuses to testify before a grand jury investigating anti-war activists. IL

Dad Thwarted by Felonies $1000 for sports expenses for the 14-year-old son whose father has been arrested upwards of 100 times for his direct actions related to peace and social justice. He has two felony convictions for actions he took more than 20 years ago; these convictions have kept him from being able to legally adopt his son. DC

PRISONERS’ RIGHTS/U.S. POLITICAL PRISONERS

Sons of Political Prisoners Targeted $7500 for school tuition and an at home nature project for five kids, ages 11 to 17, 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, VA

Mother Threatened for Helping Prisoners $4500 for cultural programs for three children, ages seven to 18, whose mom 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 $4000 for school tuition for the 13-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

Dad Punished for Anti-Prison Art $3070 for music lessons and recreational activities for the eight and 12-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, additional charges and denial of communication with his family. CO

RACIAL JUSTICE

Fathers Targeted for Anti-Racist Activism $11,800 for tuition, tutoring and recreational activities for eight kids, ages nine to 16, from four families, whose dads faced repression for their racial justice organizing. Two lost jobs, one was arrested more than 40 times, and others faced surveillance, arrest and harassment. CO, GA

Moms Fired, Blacklisted $11,550 for a computer, therapy, recreational activities and cultural programming for eight children, ages eight to 19, from three families, whose mothers were all targeted for their anti-racist organizing in the workplace, fired without cause and have been prevented from working in their fields. GA, NC, OK

Teacher Fired $3000 for childcare and school tuition for two brothers, ages four and 16, whose father lost his job, was blacklisted, received death threats and was forced to move after advocating for fair treatment of a student who reacted physically to a classmate’s racist comments. GA

Family Threatened by KKK $2100 for a computer and a CIF award for two daughters, ages 16 and 19, whose activist mom received death threats from the Klan for her efforts to desegregate a public housing complex. OR

Police Harass Mother $1300 for dance lessons and summer camp for the 13-year-old daughter whose mother fought to reallocate funding from the police to mental health services. As a result, she was harassed online by local police officers and someone fired a gun in her driveway in the middle of the night. TX

Campus Organizer Targeted $1000 for school tuition for the seven-year-old daughter whose mom is a recognized leader at her college. They have both been threatened by those opposed to racial justice events the mom has organized on campus, including finding “KKK” and monkey imagery in the student meeting space. OR

CIF AWARDS

$600 for a CIF award for textbooks and school supplies for the 19- year-old daughter whose parents are peace activists. ME

GROCERY GIFT CARDS

$15,000 to provide a $200 Grocery Card for RFC beneficiary families.