1. United States
2. N.J.
3. Letter

Fund The Fight To End Militarism In Our Communities In a functioning democracy, schools remain places of learning, not fear. When immigration raids ripple through neighborhoods and enforcement actions reach campuses, it signals a deeper shift in how power is being exercised in our communities. In Minnesota, ICE raids have left classrooms half empty. Students are distracted, anxious, and grieving classmates who suddenly disappeared. Teachers describe a “loss of innocence” as children ask whether their parents will be taken next. In Tucson, one school district printed 15,000 “know your rights” cards because families were too afraid to send their children to class. Attendance dropped as rumors of raids spread through neighborhoods. Instead of focusing on math and reading, schools are preparing for immigration enforcement.   Even at Columbia University, a student was detained by ICE in a case that sparked national outrage and required high-level intervention before release.   This is what militarism in our communities looks like. It looks like empty desks. It looks like children afraid to go to school. It looks like parents wondering if a school drop-off could turn into a family separation.