Fiona Apple lends he voice to an animated short film called We Have Rights: When Documenting ICE Arrests as part of a series teaching people how to hold the immigration service accountable. The films created by We Have Rights in association with WITNESS and Brooklyn Defender Services, are a how-to on how to properly document potential abuses by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, which has
In a measured voice, Apple explains how everyday citizens have the right to record any ICE immigration action, as long as you don’t interfere with their action. “If you’re not comfortable filming, that’s okay, you can still document the arrest by taking notes on what happens, or simply bearing witness,” Apple says over images of a woman being placed in handcuffs. “This is all scary, but remember: we rights.”
The film then goes on to give specific tips on what to do if you are confronted by ICE, including focusing in on the agents and not the person being arrested, as well as taking footage of any documents and the surroundings, but not revealing any information about the person being detained. Most importantly, ICE does not have the right to seize your phone or demand the footage. (This film is also available in a Spanish-language version narrated by activist Erika Andiola.)
The singer, who released her powerful fifth album Fetch the Bolt Cutters earlier this year, has been a vocal supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement and earlier pledged to donate royalties from some of her songs to benefit refugee organizations and detained immigrants. In an interview with Vulture about the film, Apple said,
“When I was reading the script, I felt really lucky to be able to read it aloud and learn it. It’s such valuable information. Everybody can help out. I think so many people want to help and they don’t know how. They feel like they have no way of helping. But if you’ve got eyes, ears, a notepad, and a pencil, you can help.”
Watch the video below.