I think we can agree this is something special that we can all get behind. Full details of Comix Action’s #Comics4Liam initative in the press release below…
#Comics4Liam invites comics creators from around the US and the world to create art in support of Liam Conejo Ramos and families impacted by ICE.
New York-based community organization Comix Action has teamed up with prominent comics creators and Hands Off NYC to build “#Comics4Liam, ” a project to support Liam Conejo Ramos and families around the United States who have been torn apart and terrorized by ICE.
Image by Trung Le Nguyen
Liam Conejo Ramos, a five-year-old Minnesotan, was kidnapped by ICE and incarcerated in a detention center in Texas. He was released on Sunday, February 1 after 11 days in detention. While Liam is safely home, at least 3800 children have been detained by ICE during the current presidential administration. At least five other children from Liam’s elementary school have been taken by ICE.
“My heart sank when I heard Liam was abducted from Columbia Heights, a place I think of so fondly,” said Trung Le Nguyen, acclaimed writer and artist behind such books for young readers as The Magic Fish and Angelica and the Bear Prince.
“As a fellow immigrant Minnesotan, I just want Liam and his family to feel safe and at home there again.”
Image by Trung Le Nguyen
The group invites comics creators to create artwork with Liam in mind to post on social media under the hashtag “#Comics4Liam,” and to direct people to http://www.comics4liam.com, a page with instructions on how to participate as well as links to fundraisers and groups that are helping immigrant families like Liam’s, who have had their lives upended by the actions of ICE and DHS.
Comix Action’s instructions for the project are as follows: “We’re asking artists to draw pictures for Liam that you think might make this particular boy feel happy and cared for. Maybe drawings of things he might love; maybe pictures of Liam himself as you think he might like to be seen.”
Image by Trung Le Nguyen
Participating creators in the first wave of artworks include Nguyen, Wilfredo Torres, Greg Pak, Shing Yin Khor, Keezy Young, Ethan Aldridge, Christine Norrie with Ethan Sacks and Julio Anta, and more.
Greg Pak, noted comic writer and co-founder of Comix Action, said, “I’ve been writing superhero comics for 22 years. When I saw that picture of Liam Ramos with his bunny hat and Spidey backpack, I felt like screaming. I think we all have a responsibility to help him, all the kids, and every other immigrant persecuted by ICE.”
Art by Wilfredo Torres
ABOUT COMIX ACTION: Comix Action is a group of NYC-area comics creators and industry professionals united to resist fascism, support colleagues in need, and keep our neighbors and communities safe.
Art by Christine Norrie; words by Ethan Sacks
ABOUT HANDS OFF NYC: Hands Off NYC brings together a broad coalition to protect against, preempt, and prepare for federal incursion in New York City. We do this through mass mobilization, neighborhood organizing, and building a culture of defiance. Hands Off NYC is supported by over 200 labor unions, faith leaders, and community groups standing together in nonviolent resistance, dedicated to protecting New York City.
Art by Keezy Young
