Living Without Fear Should Not Be Radical

It is impossible to discuss the current state of the U.S. without recognizing that race and identity are increasingly being weaponized to divide neighbors, undermine civic participation, and weaken our democracy. 

Across the country, our friends and neighbors are being detained, forcibly displaced from their families and communities, and murdered by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents based on their skin color, the language they speak, and their efforts to confront injustice.

Our hearts are with 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, his father, Renee Good, Alex Pretti, and all the families whose lives have been disrupted by fear, enforcement actions, and policies that put our children in harm’s way.

The recent murder of an ICU nurse and the detention of a young child asylum-seeking preschooler has intensified fear in Minneapolis and beyond. Schools are shifting to hybrid learning. Small businesses have closed their doors. Families are afraid to step outside their homes. This is the reality of fear and it’s spreading.

This heartbreaking moment comes in the wake of the recent murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by ICE agents. Together, these events reveal a deeply troubling escalation: the use of force against our communities, the trauma inflicted in our families, and the erosion of the safety we all deserve. 

At Hispanics in Philanthropy, we stand firm in our belief that every person—regardless of class, zip code, or race —deserves dignity, safety, and the chance to thrive. What’s happening in Minnesota is not an isolated incident. It’s a crisis that demands collective attention, our compassion and our action. 

This is not normal. And we cannot accept it as such. 

Our nonprofit partners in Minnesota and across the country are responding with extraordinary courage. They’re supporting families in crisis, protecting fundamental freedoms, and ensuring people can assemble, protest, and live without fear. 

📌 Here’s how we can respond: 

• Use our voice. Speak out against state-violence and the policies causing harm. Name what's happening and who it's affecting. 
• Fund rapid response. Channel resources directly to community-based organizations providing legal defense, trauma support, family services, and civic engagement on the ground.
• Mobilize your networks. Work across sectors, geographies, and communities to defend dignity and democratic values. Match the urgency of this moment with concrete action. 

No matter where you call home, we live with the hope that all our communities can live in peace and safety.