Get Involved
Table of Contents
The Trial is over. Here’s how you can help.
We know that the fight doesn’t end here, as we have to garner more support as we look toward appeals and supporting 13 defendants during their state trials, including 9 of those who were just tried in federal court.
Host a letter-writing night
The defendants have said repeatedly: letters have been essential for keeping their spirits up. We have posted short lists of people’s interests and their current address on their profiles.
Get a group of people together at your house, a community space, a bar. Bring some plain white printer paper, black or blue pens, envelopes and stamps. Have people pick different defendants. Talk about what you could write to help people get started.
Organize a fundraiser
Among many other things, people will need long-term financial support in prison including money for commissary as well as money for state lawyers.
Fundraiser ideas:
- Have bands, musicians, DJ’s play a show and give the cover to the fundraiser
- Hold a bake sale
- Sell raffle tickets and get local businesses to donate prizes
- Poetry night
- Design and sell t-shirts, posters, pet portraits, or a quilt.
- Silent auction with items from local artists and makers
- Host a community dinner
Fundraiser Links
The following links will take you to the defendants active fundraisers.
- Main fund: DFW Support Committee
- Maricela Rueda and her family
- Daniel “Des” Sanchez Estrada, Maricela’s spouse and the only non-U.S. citizen in this case
Set up local speaking events
Go on the road! Reach out to local community groups, social justice organizations, DIY spaces, or churches and offer to present about the case and its potential implications for everyone. We encourage people to make their own presentations, but local organizers closer to the case may be available to call in if needed. Invite the audience to reflect on how this verdict will impact the fight for justice in their immediate community and encourage them to get involved in support efforts.
Start an “Emma Goldman Book Club”
- Get a group of people together either your friends or you can make it a public event open to all kinds of people.
- Pick a reading from the list of the reading materials brought up throughout the Prairieland investigation and trial
- Read the zine together as a group out loud. You can go around in a circle and read it or have people volunteer to read a paragraph or two when they feel moved to read
- Every couple of pages pause and talk about the text and answer any questions about it
- Once you have read the whole text, you can have a longer conversation about the arguments in the zine
Other ways to engage:
- Write your own responses to the pieces
- Share your responses widely
- Make your own response zines
- Host events to discuss what you have read
- Write reportbacks on the actions inspired by what you’ve read
We wish to see more critical and engaged dialogue about the works brought up in the Prairieland case.
Carry out a Noise Demo
This case aims to outlaw an important practice of showing solidarity to people locked up in prisons, jails, and detention centers—the noise demo. Keep it simple-invite people to show up with noise-makers of all kinds: 5 gallon buckets, pots and pans, whistles, claves, drums, or a mobile speaker if you’ve got one and let those on the inside know that they are not alone and those in this administration know that we won’t be silenced.
Spread the word
We must publicize the numerous holes in the state’s narrative. If you and others you know have time, you should review the federal trial court notes in-depth and compare the state’s narrative to what facts actually came out during trial.
- For example, the state claims everyone was wearing black, but it came out in trial that some people were wearing colors and/or simply their work uniforms after a work shift.
- Additionally, the prosecution claimed Song shot someone in the neck, but the trial revealed video footage of shots hitting the ground.
- As a final example, the state claimed they suspected Sanchez Estrada’s box of literature and zines actually contained explosives, but they then left it untouched for hours, contrary to protocol.
For more, review the court notes.
Donate
Donate to the legal defense fund to help the defendants fight these serious charges. Consider hosting a fundraiser event: a bake sale at your university, a benefit show, a raffle, or movie screening. Use it as an opportunity to meet others and raise awareness about the case.
Stay Connected
Stay in the loop and help get keep this case part of the national conversation by following the support committee on social media or reach out via email at dfwsupportcommittee@hacari.com
For important updates, we have a public announcement thread on Signal.
