Dear community,

The mutual aid team at Mass Liberation AZ is fundraising on behalf of Michael. Our intention is to support and honor him. For the past few months, we got to know Michael and have been working with him.

Michael is a kind, considerate man who works tirelessly to support and advocate for others. He is a gifted communicator and has established trusting relationships with the local unsheltered community as well as multiple community organizations. Community members frequently seek his guidance to peacefully resolve interpersonal conflicts. He collects valuable public testimony from unhoused people, and shares it with City of Phoenix officials to inform their decisions. He has also helped to distribute over 10,000 masks among the unhoused community. He genuinely cares about his community and is a well-respected voice for justice.

However, just recently, the state decided to violently lock him away. This will happen next month, in August. We are truly saddened to see him being taken from the community. Michael also has a child on the way and we know how the carceral system separates and cages our loved ones.

We are asking for support to fulfill some of his requests before he leaves and until he returns to us. Some of those include replacing belongings as his backpack was stolen, storage to hold personal possessions for a year, grant him a fun and restful activity before he is taken away, rail passes, earbuds, a bike lock, potential car/mechanic fees from a generous car donation, legal fees, etc.

We appreciate any and all help.