On September 12, ICE agents unjustly abducted day laborer Willian Gimenez in Little Village while he was entering a barbershop with his wife Mary. Willian and Mary are leader members of the Latino Union of Chicago and valued community advocates for day labor and domestic worker rights.
Willian’s detention is not an accident. As a plaintiff in LU’s lawsuit against Home Depot and off-duty Chicago police for targeting immigrant day laborers, he has been a strong voice against corporate and police abuse. His arrest is blatant retaliation meant to silence him and intimidate our community.
On Saturday September 13, after a press conference held at the Broadview ICE Procesing Facility, Willian was briefly able to call Mary and his attorney for the first time—then ICE transferred him out of Illinois to hide him!!!!
Willian’s case is bigger than one person. It’s about every immigrant and day labor worker who dares to speak out for justice. Now is the time to stand with him, Mary, and our community.
How You Can Help Right Now:
Support Mary and her family – Mary needs monetary support to cover rent, utilities, groceries, and general living expenses while Willian is in detention. Because of the fear of potential further retaliation, Mary is unable to work and has no other source of income. We are asking our communities to join together in supporting her and their family get through this difficult time.
Organizer and beneficiary
National Day Laborer Organizing Network
Organizer
Pasadena, CA
Joy Bailey
Beneficiary