Dear OneAmerica Movement Family,
I come to you today heartbroken, grieving and angry.
Heartbroken for the world that my son and all of our children will need to live in and the lasting impacts it will have.
Grieving for the future of our country and our democracy that has again chosen racism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia and hate.
Angry about the fact that we are here again. Facing anti-immigrant sentiments and attacks that will deeply affect our communities and members.
And yet as a leader grounded in the power of our movement, while it’s so hard, I still remain hopeful.
Hopeful, because we have been here before, and we came out stronger on the other side.
We have built power. We have institutions and coalitions across the state ready to face whatever may come our way. We know what we are up against, and we now have a vision we are working towards. A vision of a thriving home for immigrants where we are equal, valued and loved.
Amid what I and our OneAmerica family is feeling, I feel hopeful to be living in a sanctuary state for immigrants – won via our collective organizing efforts. For the victories we won this election cycle in Washington State that will protect, sustain, and propel us forward.
OneAmerica was built for moments like this, and we are more prepared than ever to defend our people, and we won’t back down.
Rather, we will be proactive. We have a lot to celebrate at the state level. Our sister organization, OneAmerica Votes, and our members reached over 198,000 immigrant and New American voters this election cycle. Our work helped defeat billionaire-backed ballot initiatives and helped elect pro-immigrant champions to the legislature. Washington State has solidified a stronger Democratic trifecta, and we are ready to bring our movement to the halls of power and fight for what will keep immigrant communities safe here in Washington.
With a new pro-immigrant governor, attorney general, and state legislature we will push the state to be bolder than ever on protecting and investing in immigrants.
But policies and elected officials will not be enough to protect us during this time. OneAmerica has always been and will continue to be a movement home, a collective of people willing to take responsibility for the future. We will take each person who is enraged and wants to do something about it and move them into our movement to build a bigger WE. That includes each and every one of you. Over the next days, months and years, we will need you to join our movement and do what you can. Whether that’s giving of your time, resources, leadership, or knowledge. And here are a few ways you can do that:
- Join our Immigrant Justice Team to be notified of ways you can take action and activate your power with us
- Join a OAV post-election debrief meeting in your region on Saturday, November 16th
- Donate to fund our movement to ensure we have the resources to fight back
- Register for our December OAV Member Meeting where we will reflect on the election results and look to the work ahead during the state legislative session in 2025
We must come together and demonstrate our power. We won’t go back to just defending. Together, we can fight for what we need and win.
In the midst of my grief and anger, I think of my son, Omid, and all the children who are growing up during these times. The future I know they deserve is my reason for continuing the fight for liberation. So even though we are tired, uncertain and afraid, we’ll organize because our very survival is dependent on it. So as those before us have always done, we turn to our movements and to each other to get through this. And we WILL get through this.
Today we grieve, but tomorrow we organize.
With love, hope and solidarity,
Roxana