Buffalo businesses help with legal fees for border separated families

At least five Buffalo small businesses are stepping up to support the legal defense of families separated at the U.S./Mexico Border. 

Rise Collaborative teamed up with Positive Approach Press to design t-shirts that read “We Are Immigrants.” 100 percent of proceeds will fund the American Civil Liberties Union and its mission to assist asylum seeking families detained at the border.

To purchase a t-shirt click on RISECOLLABORATIVE

On Thursday, June 21st,  Tipico Coffee on the Westside of Buffalo will give 50 percent of all sales generated to the legal defense organization. In addition, Tipico will be tapping a keg of kombucha donated by Buffalo Barrel & Brine, with 100 percent of sales of that beverage going toward the cause. Zoom is offering free signage for the event. 

City Lights Studio Photography will be at Topic Coffee from 6pm to 8pm offering a portrait pop-up for just $50. That money will be donated as well. 

In solidarity with the community-wide effort, Love in Motion Yoga will donate revenue from its regularly scheduled June 21 classes to the ACLU. 

New York Civil Liberties Union Regional Director, John Curr III said the need for donations is greater now than ever. 

“Since this policy change in April there’s need always for more legal help, for more resources, for more staff to support them,” Curr said. 

Following the signing of an executive order by President Donald Trump to fix the crisis at the border, Congressman Chris Collins sent 7 Eyewitness News this statement: 

“Last night, House Republicans had a very productive meeting with President Trump. I am pleased to hear he signed an executive order and is supportive of also fixing this crisis legislatively by closing the loopholes in our immigration laws and significantly increasing our border security. It is very sad to see children without their parents at our borders, and as a compassionate country we are taking action to keep families together while making sure we won’t be faced with a similar crisis in the future.”