Call to Action: #protectphoeun

If you've been following me for a while, you probably know that one of the ways I'm invested in decolonization is through the abolition of our carceral systems, including ICE. My family has experienced the threat of deportation and family separation, and I almost lost my brother to this system. I'm so grateful to have had the community behind me, fighting for my brother and others in his position to come home. We're calling on the community again to help uplift Phoeun You's story, as he is at imminent risk of deportation.

From the toolkit I'm linking, here is some info about Phoeun:

Phoeun You is a Cambodian genocide survivor and refugee who grew up in Long Beach, CA. His family survived the Cambodian genocide by fleeing to a refugee camp in Thailand. Upon arriving to the U.S. as a child, Phoeun faced discrimination as an immigrant. His family endured poverty and violence living in Long Beach. Phoeun joined gangs for protection and belonging. At 20, Phoeun’s only method of protection and survival was violence. Phoeun’s younger family members were bullied and attacked by a rival gang. In response to an attack on him and his family, Phoeun opened fire with a firearm that resulted in his incarceration. After serving 25 years, Phoeun was recommended for early release by the Board of Parole Hearings in recognition of his commitment to service, mentorship, and rehabilitation. On his release date, our state prison system (CDCR) cruelly contacted ICE to arrest Phoeun to detain and deport him. He can only be protected if the Governor intervenes. Phoeun longs to go home to reunite with his family.

Please refer to this action toolkit for all the ways you can help, and consider coming to the rally on July 28th at 10:30 am (Elihu M. Harris State Building, 1515 Clay Street, Oakland).

The first time I met Bong Phoeun (bong is an honorific meaning older sibling), it was 2016 at San Quentin through Asian Prisoner Support Committee's ROOTS program. It was a program he co-founded, a space where folks did a lot of healing. I remember feeling a calmness when meeting him. He's a natural leader. He is an asset to the community.

And also, the State of California is just okay with deporting refugees (and immigrants), I guess. Even after someone served 26 years, like Phoeun did, and was paroled. Meaning the state deemed him fit to return home. The state doesn't even have to hand folks over to Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE). They just do. The community is working to pass the VISION Act, AB937, a bill to stop local jails and state prisons from colluding with ICE.

Anyways. Some months after I started volunteering with APSC, I wrote a poem about that first visit. I really want to make a visual for this piece, but for now, if it gives more attention to what's happening, please share. But please make a call, write a letter, tweet something. If you'd like to read along, click here.

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A post shared by Rhummanee Hang (@rhummanee)

Thank you in advance for uplifting this story. Let's continue to work to #freethemall!

💜

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