Sign Up Now to Fundraise for Immigrants’ Rights with Equator Coffees

Immigrants’ rights are under attack, and the coffee community is taking action. Before June 17, sign up to participate in Equator Coffees’ fundraiser for the ACLU.

BY EMILY JOY MENESES
ONLINE EDITOR

Featured photo by Emily Joy Meneses

In the United States, immigrants’ rights are under blatant attack. Across the country, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids are wreaking havoc amongst immigrant communities, separating families and violating the rights of both the documented and undocumented. In response, large-scale demonstrations have been taking place in all states over the past several weeks, with the focal point being Los Angeles: a city with a culture largely shaped by immigrants from Latin America.

California-based roastery and café chain Equator Coffees is currently calling on all coffee community members to participate in a weeklong fundraiser to raise proceeds for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in defense of immigrants’ rights. The industry-wide fundraiser will take place July 1-5, and each participant can decide how they’d like to contribute—whether by donating a portion of each coffee sold, a percentage of total sales from the week, sales from a special product, or any other fundraising approach. 

“We believe it’s important to stand up together for the values of justice and human dignity, and to support our documented and undocumented friends, family, and neighbors,” Shelby Colley, VP of marketing at Equator Coffees, shared with Barista Magazine. “At Equator, we’re planning to donate $1 per bag of coffee sold online and in cafés.”

About the ACLU

The ACLU is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization dedicated to defending and preserving the rights of people living in the United States. Donations to the organization will help fund litigation, advocacy, and organizing efforts to take on human rights violations by ICE and the U.S. Border Patrol.

On their website, the organization shares crucial information for undocumented immigrants, including their rights granted under the U.S. Constitution.

“Regardless of a person’s immigration status, everyone is granted certain rights and protections under the U.S. Constitution. These rights include, but are not limited to:

• The right to due process
• The right to legal representation
• The right against unreasonable search and seizure
• The right to not be arrested or detained without a valid reason
• The right to record interactions with law enforcement

Knowing your rights and protections under the Constitution is the first line of defense. To learn more about what to do during encounters with immigration enforcement agents and police, visit our Know Your Immigrants’ Rights page,” the organization writes.

How to Get Involved

Roasters, retailers, coffee shops, equipment manufacturers, and other coffee-related companies can join Equator Coffees’ campaign, which will officially take place July 1-5, by filling out this form by June 17.

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