West Philadelphia Rallies for West African Detainees Through Kora Music and Speeches

On Sunday, a community gathering held in West Philadelphia took on a deeply humanistic purpose as residents came together to write letters of support to those detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The event was organized by Reclaim Philadelphia’s West/Southwest Neighborhood branch and featured live music from Youba Cissokho, a master musician known for his expertise in the kora, a traditional West African string instrument.

As participants penned letters to Yero, a respected community member recently detained during an annual ICE check-in, the soothing sounds of Cissokho’s kora filled the atmosphere with a sense of historical resonance. In West African culture, musicians like Cissokho serve not only as entertainers but also as custodians of memory known as griots, who narrate the struggles and triumphs of their people. This tradition enhanced the solemnity of the occasion, creating a space that was both urgent and filled with compassion.

The letters written during this event were addressed not only to Yero but also to other members of the West African community currently facing detention. The plight of these individuals often goes unnoticed in broader discussions about immigration, despite increasing numbers of asylum seekers from countries like Mauritania, where systemic injustices persist. Many of these detainees, including Yero, face persecution due to their opposition to oppressive societal structures.

For some attendees, particularly older Black Americans, the act of writing resonated on a personal level, reminding them of their own experiences or those of their ancestors fleeing the oppressive conditions of the Jim Crow South during the Great Migration. This intergenerational link fortified the sense of shared struggle and solidarity among participants from diverse backgrounds.

As the event progressed, the atmosphere transformed into a powerful affirmation of community. The music of the kora, the ink filling pages, and the shared act of storytelling combined into a collective expression of support for those affected by ICE detentions. The moment became particularly moving when a call was made from Yero at the detention center, and his uncle, present at the event, translated his heartfelt thanks to the room. The emotional weight of his words brought attendees to tears, underlining the profound impact of seemingly simple acts of kindness.

As the gathering drew to a close, conversations continued beyond the venue, with participants eager to find additional ways to advocate for those in detention, including volunteering and fundraising efforts. What began as a letter-writing activity evolved into a community-building effort that emphasized the shared human experience of migration and resilience.

In the closing moments, as the sound of the kora faded, the attendees were reminded of their role as modern griots, preserving the story of resistance and compassion through their actions and words. This event, marked by cultural exchange and collective memory, established a commitment to continue advocating for those who remain forgotten within the detention system.

This gathering underscores a larger narrative about the importance of community connection, action, and the need for ongoing dialogue around immigration issues, reinforcing that those detained are not isolated but are an integral part of the collective community fabric.