We are happy to report that our Writers for Migrant Justice reading was a success! We were able to raise $2,100 to support migrant families. This means that both Immigrant Families Together and One Michigan for Immigrant Rights received $1,050 to continue their necessary work. The work doesn’t end with this event though, so please consider visiting each of these orgs’ sites and consider donating if you can.

Special thank you to co-organizers Sumita Chakraborty and Hannah Ensor, our cast of readers, Yesenia Montilla for her poem “Maps” and Sierra Brown for her letterpress skills, and to each of you who supported in one way or another!

Writers for Migrant Justice is a collection of writers coming together to generate funds in rapid response to the state-sanctioned atrocities being faced by migrant families seeking refuge. Flagship protest readings are being held in NYC and Chicago to generate funds for migrant families at the border, and over 45 cities will be conducting sister-city readings on September 4th to offer support. The goal for W4MJ is to generate at least $5,000, and an additional $500 per event.

The Michigan version of the protest reading will take place in Ann Arbor at the University of Michigan Diag, and is being facilitated by local writers Sumita Chakraborty, Hannah Ensor, and Tariq Luthun. Due to our proximity to the northern border, we’re seeking to generate funds for both Immigrant Families Together — the key org seeking donations to support migrants at the Southern border — and One Michigan for Immigrant Rights — the org that does similar work for migrant families here in the state. As a result, each donation will be split 50/50 between the two not-for-profit organizations, but 100% of the donations will go to migrant and undocumented families in need of dire support (i.e. your donation won’t go to anything like marketing costs). For more information about the Michigan event, feel free to reach out to us through email. For all questions relating to the national protest, please visit the W4MJ GoFundMe page.