Cut the Deportation Subsidies Protest Quickstart Guide
This Cut the Subsidies Protest Quickstart Guide is meant for people living in states or localities that provide Avelo with public subsidies or incentives.
Why We’re Taking Action
Avelo Airlines is the first commercial airline in the U.S. to sign a contract with ICE to operate secret deportation flights. These flights happen without transparency or oversight, and without guaranteeing due process or legal counsel for the people on board.
Our tax dollars — through subsidies, grants, and tax breaks — are helping pay for it in communities across the country. This is state-sponsored cruelty, and we can stop it. If we cut the subsidies, we make it too costly for Avelo to continue.
The goal: Make public noise and pressure local decision-makers to end subsidies and ban future funding for deportation contractors.
What Kind of Action Can You Organize?
Choose what makes sense for your group size, time, and local context.
Protest or Rally
Plan your event at a city hall, airport, or visible public location. The goal here is to generate press, public awareness, and pressure on officials.
District Office Visit
Show up at your city council member’s, state legislator’s, or county commissioner’s office. Deliver a letter, speak directly to staff, and demonstrate local concern.
Public Meeting Speak-Out
Sign up to give public comment a city council, county commission, or legislative meeting. Put your demands on the public record, get officials on the spot, and create accountability.
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Pick Your Target & Location
Volusia County, FL — County Council
Lakeland, FL — City Commission
Delaware — Governor & General Assembly
New York State — State Senators & Assemblymembers
Salt Lake City, UT — City Council & Airport Board
Scranton, PA — County Commissioners & Airport Board
Where to act:
City Hall / County Government Center
Airport terminal (public area)
Outside the district office of your target official
Choose Your Date
Coordinate with other local events or council meeting dates.
Give yourself enough time to recruit (minimum 5 days notice is ideal).
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You can register your event on Mobilize to allow people to RSVP and use Mobilize’s tool to communicate important information about your event. Registering it also allows other people in your area to find it and attend if you decide to list it publicly.
Then, start recruiting!
Invite your local Indivisible group, allied orgs, faith leaders, students, and neighbors.
Use phone calls, text threads, and social media — ask people to RSVP so you know who’s coming.
Tell them exactly what they’ll be doing (“We’ll hold signs, speak to press, and demand an end to subsidies for Avelo.”).
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Signs:
“Cut the Deportation Subsidies”
“No Public Money for Deportation Flights”
“Ground Avelo”
“Stop Funding Cruelty”
Handouts:
One-page explainer with local subsidy facts (use location-specific information).
Short demand letter to deliver to the target.
Chants:
“Hey hey, ho ho, deportation flights have got to go!”
“No more subsidies, stop the flights!”
“Public money should serve the public!”
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Assign roles: MC/chants, media contact, livestreamer, photo taker, target liaison.
Arrive early: Set up signs, greet attendees, get them positioned for visibility.
Document everything: Take wide shots, close-ups, and short video clips for social media and press.
If speaking at a public meeting:
Arrive early to sign up for comment.
Keep remarks under time limit (usually 2–3 minutes).
Coordinate so multiple speakers hit different points.
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Avelo Airlines runs secret ICE deportation flights without due process.
Our community is subsidizing this through [insert local subsidy amount/type].
Public money should reflect our values — not bankroll cruelty.
We demand:
Immediate end to all subsidies to Avelo.
A permanent ban on public funds to deportation contractors.
A public statement from officials condemning Avelo’s ICE contract.
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Share photos, video, and a short recap on social media tagging your targets.
Email your target again with photos from the event.
Keep the momentum: Plan the next action until demands are met.