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Solidarity in Action: Strategies for Power-Building in Anti-Immigrant Environments
May 28, 2025 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am PDT
This webinar is hosted by Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees and co-sponsored by Economic Opportunity Funders, Northern California Grantmakers, Philanthropy New York, and Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders.
The federal administration’s consolidation of power and scapegoating of migrant populations and other historically marginalized communities have presented staggering challenges for immigrant-serving organizations. There are many lessons we can learn from community-based groups that operate in this type of hostile environment. They have also built power in geographies with other low-paid workers or workers of color and have formed coalitions across social justice movements for the liberation of all.
Join GCIR to learn how multi-issue groups working to build an inclusive multiracial democracy are deploying strategies that address the needs of migrant communities in an increasingly hostile environment.
Speakers:
Sofía Verónica Montez, Legal Fellow, Project South
Born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, Sofía (they / them) is a 2023 graduate at UNC School of Law aiming to grow as a movement lawyer for grassroots efforts countering the inhumane violence and displacement inflicted by Western imperialism. Sofía joined Project South as a J.D. Pathways Fellow to advance our ongoing and emerging projects for justice, including legal advocacy for basic utilities such as water, gas, and electricity for all regardless of citizen status or lack of social security documentation. During law school, Sofía supported immigrants’, labor, and housing rights through their service as a Certified Legal Intern at the UNC Civil Legal Assistance Clinic and as a Special Trips Coordinator for the UNC Pro Bono Board, informed by their developing experiences as a Fellow for the Peggy Browning Fund, as an intern for the Equal Justice Center and for Project South, and as an extern for Sur Legal Collaborative.
Amanda Weaver, Network Power Building Director, People’s Action
Amanda is the Network Power Building Director for People’s Action, the nation’s largest network of member-based, grassroots power-building organizations working for social, economic and racial justice, with 40 affiliates in 38 states and more than a million members.
She is a community organizer, trainer and director who has over a decade of experience building campaigns and programming with communities across Cook County IL and nationally across multiple states. She has experience and expertise in building electoral and community based organization to make concrete change for working people’s lives, and to elect working people to office. She has a passion for building community resilience and connection across differences.
Steven Wu, Organizing and Policy Director, Woori Juntos
Steven is the Director of Organizing & Policy at Woori Juntos, bringing expertise in policy development and community engagement.
At Woori Juntos, Steven oversees organizing and policy initiatives, building on experience as Manager, Organizing & Policy. Their work supports the organization’s commitment to ensuring access to health and social services for Asians, immigrants, and all Texans, while also promoting civic engagement to foster equity and justice. Steven contributes to the organization’s advocacy efforts and supports its mission to address structural challenges faced by communities.
Drawing on a background in research and policy analysis, Steven previously served as a Health Policy Associate at Scholars Strategy Network. In this role, they contributed to addressing public challenges and increasing the accessibility of research findings.
Their work history includes a role as Research Assistant at Georgia Tech, demonstrating applied knowledge of scientific principles. Steven holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Georgia Institute of Technology.
Moderator:
Deepa Iyer, Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives, Building Movement Project
Deepa Iyer is a South Asian American writer, strategist, and lawyer. Her work is rooted in Asian American, South Asian, Muslim, and Arab communities where she spent fifteen years in policy advocacy and coalition building in the wake of the September 11th attacks and ensuing backlash. Currently, Deepa leads projects on solidarity and social movements at the Building Movement Project, a national nonprofit organization that catalyzes social change through research, strategic partnerships, and resources for movements and nonprofits. She conducts workshops and trainings, uplifts narratives through the Solidarity Is This podcast, and facilitates solidarity strategy for cohorts and networks. Previously, she has held positions at Race Forward, South Asian Americans Leading Together, the US Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, the Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center, and the Asian American Justice Center.
Deepa’s first book, We Too Sing America: South Asian, Arab, Muslim, and Sikh Immigrants Shape Our Multiracial Future (The New Press, 2015), chronicles community-based histories in the wake of 9/11 and received a 2016 American Book Award. Deepa’s most recent book (2022), a guide based on the social change ecosystem map that she created, is called Social Change Now: A Guide for Reflection and Connection. Her debut children’s picture book, We Are The Builders!, was released in the fall of 2024.
Deepa serves on the advisory council of the Emergent Fund. She has been an adjunct professor in Asian American Studies and Public Policy programs. Deepa is an immigrant who moved to Kentucky from Kerala (India) when she was twelve years old. She graduated from the University of Notre Dame Law School and Vanderbilt University.
