In the wake of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid on several Fresh Mark locations in central Ohio, several organizations are providing support to the workers who were affected and their families.
The International Institute of Akron is hosting an online fundraiser to provide free legal services to the victims of the ICE raid in Sandusky last week. The institute posted a link to this fundraiser, stating that their immigration team is working to provide and coordinate pro bono legal services to the employees affected by the Fresh Mark raid Tuesday. Over $7,560 has been raised so far.
Click here to view the online fundraiser from IIA.
Madhu Sharma, executive director of the IIA, told News 5 about several other organizations providing legal assistance and other resources to families affected by the raid.
Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, a western Ohio-based non-profit law firm, stated on Facebook that they will be organizing a legal response.
Sharma said that the Catholic Charities - Diocese of Cleveland will also be providing assistance.
The Immigrant Worker Project of Ohio is hosting a meeting in downtown Canton at their Centro San Jose office at 6 p.m. to discuss the raid of the Fresh Mark locations in Salem, Massillon and Canton. The organization’s office is located at 701 Walnut Ave. in Canton.
Learn more about the Immigrant Worker Project of Ohio on their Facebook page here.
The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union is working to assist families involved in the ICE raid, according to a statement released Wednesday. The statement from Stuart Applebuam, the union’s president, blasted the Trump administration and ICE for the “egregious show of force,” and committed to assisting workers affected by the ICE raid. A union organizer for the northeast region can be contacted by calling 212-684-5300, emailing east@rwdsu.org, or by filling out a form on this page.
News 5 is working to learn about other ways those affected by the raid can seek support, and we will have complete coverage of the ICE raid this evening on News 5.
