IFCO: ‘Standing Together in the Face of Repression’

In these challenging times, we are reminded of the profound responsibility we share to protect and uplift those who dare to speak truth to power. Across the nation, we are witnessing alarming attacks on students, activists, and communities who have courageously raised their voices against injustice—from speaking out against genocide to challenging systemic oppression. These attacks are not isolated incidents; they are part of a broader pattern of repression designed to silence dissent and dismantle the hard-won gains of marginalized communities.  

Students have long been at the forefront of social change, using their voices to demand accountability and justice: from the civil rights movement, against South African apartheid, and the on going genocide against Palestinian people. Yet, today, those who dare to speak out against genocide and other atrocities, like Mahmoud Kahlil, are being targeted, vilified, and punished. This is not just an attack on individuals; it is an assault on the very principles of free speech and academic freedom. We must stand in solidarity with these students, ensuring their voices are not silenced and their right to protest is protected.   It is clear that the Trump administration is using immigration status to criminalize, persecute, and intimidate activists who express dissent. This is a blatant attempt to instill fear and divide our communities. No one should live in fear of deportation or retaliation for standing up for what is right. We must fight back against these tactics and demand dignity and justice for all, regardless of immigration status. Immigrants are, and have always been essential to the development of society, and we must stand in the defense of our siblings’ human and civil rights.  Our constitutional rights—freedom of speech, assembly, and protest—are under attack. These rights are the bedrock of our democracy, and their erosion threatens us all. We cannot afford to be complacent. We must defend these rights with unwavering determination, ensuring that every voice can be heard and every community can organize without fear of repression.   The gains made to protect and advance the rights of communities of color, immigrants, and other marginalized groups are being systematically dismantled. This is a deliberate effort to reverse progress and blatantly establish the rule of billionaires. We must resist this rollback with every ounce of our strength, reaffirming our commitment to justice, equity, and liberation.   In moments of repression, our response must be rooted in collective action and prophetic courage. IFCO is unwavering in its solidarity with students, workers, immigrants and all of those who are fighting oppression and exploitation. We are committed to organized struggle, to creating networks of support and solidarity, and mobilizing to demand justice and systemic change.   This is not a time for silence or inaction. It is a time to rise together, to defend one another, and to fight for a future where justice and equality are not just ideals, but realities. Let us move forward with resolve, knowing that our collective power is greater than any force of repression.   In loving solidarity,   Claudia De la Cruz Executive Director, IFCO