We write with urgent concern over a disturbing trend: the increasing criminalization of basic mutual aid and solidarity in the United States. Communities helping communities is a fundamental American value, yet across the country, individuals are being punished for this essential work.
In recent months, volunteers with Food Not Bombs—a group that shares free food in public spaces—have faced arrests and harassment in cities like Denver and San Antonio, simply for feeding people. Simultaneously, in Atlanta, state authorities wielded aggressive racketeering charges to target the bail fund supporting the Stop Cop City movement. This dangerous escalation frames collective care and legal support as criminal conspiracy.
These actions do not make us safer. They criminalize compassion, stifle free speech and assembly, and worsen public trust. Targeting mutual aid punishes the most vulnerable and chills the very community networks that save lives during crises.
We call on you to take federal action to protect and decriminalize mutual aid. This must include:
· Holding hearings on this misuse of law enforcement resources against charitable acts.
· Investigating potential civil rights violations in these crackdowns.
· Supporting legislation that explicitly shields non-profit mutual aid and bail fund operations from being prosecuted as conspiracy or racketeering.
In a time of profound need, we must defend, not dismantle, the bonds of community support. Please act to ensure that no human being is penalized for practicing compassion.
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