- D
My best friend, Yen (they/them/he/him), and their partner, Josh (he/him), recently moved to Nevada City, California, to build a new life together. They used their talents to serve and contribute to the betterment of their community by running a mutual aid network. However, their safety, comfort, and wellbeing, have been violated and they need to relocate immediately.
On March 27th, Josh and Yen received a package in the mail from a member in the "Back the Blue" Facebook page, a police officer support network. The package’s return address was the Nevada City GOP Headquarters, but after calling the office, Yen and Josh learned that they were not responsible for the package. Notably, the package was addressed to both, Yen and Josh, using their legal names. For those of you that know Yen, you know they do not give out their legal name to anybody, and it is not something easily obtained.
The package contained a quilted "Thin Blue Line" flag, which symbolically supports law enforcement, but also symbolizes opposition to the racial justice movement, support for white supremacy, and/or support for the Blue Lives Matter cause. Within the package was also a "Thin Blue Line" sticker, as well as a typed letter that said:
"I saw your post on the Back the Blue Facebook page. I am glad you love our local Law Enforcement. I thought you would like these gifts, display them proudly. If you see any of us driving by your house, wave and say hello. It was easy to find you."
(For context: the "post" the letter is referring to is a screenshot of a post Josh made in a local progressive group criticizing a Back the Blue counter rally planned on the same day as a vigil for a woman killed by local police.)
Receiving this package traumatized Yen and Josh. Yen and Josh feel unsafe in their home. Yen is a nonbinary person of color currently employed at a grocery store, and given the recent hate crimes targeting Asian Americans and grocery store workers, they have been unable to work and safely perform everyday tasks. Josh and Yen’s lack of safety has prompted them to enlist friends to take turns driving by their house to ensure their safety. This is no way to live and so they need help leaving Nevada City.
For those of you that know Yen, you know they are not one to ask for help, yet they are always making sacrifices to help others. As someone that is so deeply loved and dedicated to loving others, they deserve safety and comfort. Please help me give them that.
Funds will go directly towards relocating and healing. Yen and Josh need to pay for (1) first and last month's rent at a new home, (2) relocation costs (renting a U-Haul, paying for gas, paying any necessary fees for breaking their existing lease), (3) afford utilities and food while they search for new jobs, and (4) therapy to meaningfully process what they have been through.
On March 27th, Josh and Yen received a package in the mail from a member in the "Back the Blue" Facebook page, a police officer support network. The package’s return address was the Nevada City GOP Headquarters, but after calling the office, Yen and Josh learned that they were not responsible for the package. Notably, the package was addressed to both, Yen and Josh, using their legal names. For those of you that know Yen, you know they do not give out their legal name to anybody, and it is not something easily obtained.
The package contained a quilted "Thin Blue Line" flag, which symbolically supports law enforcement, but also symbolizes opposition to the racial justice movement, support for white supremacy, and/or support for the Blue Lives Matter cause. Within the package was also a "Thin Blue Line" sticker, as well as a typed letter that said:
"I saw your post on the Back the Blue Facebook page. I am glad you love our local Law Enforcement. I thought you would like these gifts, display them proudly. If you see any of us driving by your house, wave and say hello. It was easy to find you."
(For context: the "post" the letter is referring to is a screenshot of a post Josh made in a local progressive group criticizing a Back the Blue counter rally planned on the same day as a vigil for a woman killed by local police.)
Receiving this package traumatized Yen and Josh. Yen and Josh feel unsafe in their home. Yen is a nonbinary person of color currently employed at a grocery store, and given the recent hate crimes targeting Asian Americans and grocery store workers, they have been unable to work and safely perform everyday tasks. Josh and Yen’s lack of safety has prompted them to enlist friends to take turns driving by their house to ensure their safety. This is no way to live and so they need help leaving Nevada City.
For those of you that know Yen, you know they are not one to ask for help, yet they are always making sacrifices to help others. As someone that is so deeply loved and dedicated to loving others, they deserve safety and comfort. Please help me give them that.
Funds will go directly towards relocating and healing. Yen and Josh need to pay for (1) first and last month's rent at a new home, (2) relocation costs (renting a U-Haul, paying for gas, paying any necessary fees for breaking their existing lease), (3) afford utilities and food while they search for new jobs, and (4) therapy to meaningfully process what they have been through.