Initiatives & Teams
This page lists out the community powered initiatives and working teams that make-up the AMOR Network. If you are interested in organizing with the AMOR Network consider getting involved in one of these initiatives or working teams.
Shut Down Wyatt |
Immigration Team |
Anti-Policing |
Community Care Team |
Transportation Team |
Interpretation & Language Justice Team |
Fundraising Team |
Shut Down Wyatt
AMOR’s efforts to demand the Wyatt Detention Center be shut down began on March 28th 2019 with the reinstatement of the Wyatt Detention Center’s contract with ICE.
In spite of ongoing protests and community demonstrations, the Wyatt has continued to participate in the detention of people caught up in a dehumanizing and failed immigration system. An immigration system that is a tool for racist and xenophobic policies that separate families for the sake of financial gains.
On April 4th, 2020, 60 people detained by ICE at the Wyatt launched a hunger strike to demand safer conditions, and their release amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Wyatt staff responded by retaliating against the hunger strikers, cutting off phone access and placing people in isolation. On April 21st, the first case of COVID-19 in the Wyatt was reported.
This was not the first time the Wyatt refused to attend to people’s health needs. In 2008 Hiu Lui “Jason” Ng, a migrant from China died while detained at the facility due to medical neglect. This caused ICE to end its contract with the Wyatt that same year. In early 2019 facing pressure from investors, the Wyatt signed a new contract with ICE.
Through AMOR’s work we have seen too many cases of individuals living in Central Falls ultimately ending up detained and deported. The very system through which the Central Falls Detention Facility Corporation seeks to profit from is creating devastation within the very community in which it resides.
The Wyatt is a failed business venture that was initiated for city income. Investors need to recognize that their business of trafficking victims of the immigration system is not welcome here.
Get Involved in the Shut Down Wyatt Campaign
Immigration Team
In 2017 AMOR launched in order to protect our community against increased hate against immigrants, Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQ and other marginalized identities. This rise in hate looked like increased deportations and detainments.
The Immigration team is made up of survivors of state violence, organizers, lawyers, donors, community members and volunteers. Through our collective and community work we support individuals caught in the immigration system, release folks from detention, prevent deportations and organize to improve state policy so that it supports undocumented folks in RI.
The Immigration Team collaborates with other local, regionales, and national organizations to connect individuals with the resources whether that is funds, legal representation or community support.
The strength of this team depends on the participation of our community.
Get Involved with the Immigration Team
AMOR Legal Fund
For over a year, AMOR has been raising money to pay bond for people who are held inside of the Wyatt on the ICE contract. We have been able to post bond for numerous people, and pay for legal fees and post-release funds (transportation, food, clothes etc…).
Bonds and Legal Fees are anywhere from $1,500 to $7,000 or more. Our bond fund is small and relies on community donations. Your donation keeps this fund active.
During the past few years as the federal government increased its attacks on immigrant families, AMOR has fiercely resisted these unjust policies, by connecting people with legal services, organizing rallies and fundraisers to support the individual immigration cases of the folks with whom we work, putting on know-your-rights trainings, accompanying individuals to court dates and ICE check-ins, and more.
The AMOR Legal Fund is a part of the National Bail Fund Network.
Drivers Licenses For All
In 2019 AMOR joined the decades long effort in Rhode Island to pass legislation at the statewide level that would allow undocumented immigrants to obtain state issued driver’s licenses. Access to a driver’s license means access to safe travel without fear of arrest, fines or legal consequences.
Currently 16 states,–California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Virginia and Washington, as well as the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, allow driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants.
Get Involved with the Immigration Team
Anti-Policing
AMOR is committed to defending the community against state sponsored violence and policing while working to dismantle the systems that institutionalize that violence.
Organize to Defund the Police
We know that here in the United States, the police, jails, and detention centers were expanded not to protect our communities from crime, but to scrutinize and criminalize communities and individuals who are poor, Black, Latino, Indigenous, marginalized genders and sexualities, and other marginalized communities. Now we are seeing all over the country people are resisting and demanding change. AMOR is organizing to make our demands into reality. We invite you to get involved and help build the new systems of community care that we need.
Join AMOR’s Anti-Policing Work
Offer Legal Support
Are you a lawyer invested in resisting the police state?
We are seeking your support in cases of police violence and brutality, criminal defense law and other forms of legal support for community cases.
Join AMOR’s Anti-Policing Work
Community Care Team
Join AMOR’s network of care providers, including licensed mental health providers and practitioners of other healing services such as acupuncture, massage, reiki, etc.
We also welcome members of the community interested in community care and healing to help shape spaces of community healing and connection.
Being part of the network of providers involves offering sliding scale and/or pro bono services to clients of AMOR on a case-by-case basis. At the core of our work is a commitment to anti-oppression. We acknowledge how mainstream mental health and wellness approaches often perpetuate harm against already marginalized people. We seek to use our position in these systems to provide essential and appropriate services that can help members of our communities. We are especially looking for mental health care providers who can speak Spanish, but we welcome all regardless of language and specialty.
Join AMOR’s Community Care Team
Interpretation & Language Justice Team
Join AMOR’s Interpretation & Language Justice Team. As a member of the Interpretation Team you may be called upon to support members of our community by providing interpretation for important meetings or appointments, translating materials for events or presentations, or making phone calls.
Join AMOR’s Interpretation & Language Justice Team
Transportation Team
Join AMOR’s volunteer Transportation Team. As a member of the transportation team you would be called upon to support members of our community by giving rides to folks for ICE Check-ins, appointments, or to other important meetings.
Join AMOR’s volunteer Transportation Team
Fundraising Team
Join AMOR’s volunteer Fundraising Team. Support with the coordination of AMOR’s annual fundraising events.
Past Events have included AMOR Live (a virtual concert), the AMOR Grill-Off, the AMOR Lobster Fest and more…