Over the weekend, “In Plain Sight” sent sky-typing plane fleets to spell out artist-generated messages over 80 different detention facilities, immigration courts, borders, sites of former internment camps, and other historically significant landmarks across the US. Messages like “La frontera nos cruzo,” “Shame #defundhate,” “No more camps,” and “No cages no Jualas” ended with #XMAP, directing viewers to the project’s website locating the ICE detention facilities within an immediate vicinity.
“In Plain Sight” was created by visual and performance activists Cassils and Rafa Esparza who brought together 80 artists to fight immigrant detention and the United States culture of incarceration. Featuring words from Patrisse Cullors, Zackary Drucker, Karen Ishizuka, Carlos Motta, Emory Douglas, and others, the project is dedicated to abolishing immigrant detention and the culture of incarceration in the United States. And in light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the message is an urgent one, as immigrants continue to be disproportionately oppressed.
Skytyping phrase, “CARE NOT CAGES #XMAP” over LA Country Jail, by Patrisse Cullors, Los Angeles, July 3, by Chris Mastro, courtesy of “In Plain Sight.”
The website and poetic elegy will be accompanied by an anthology docuseries, accessible actions for the public to join the movement, and cultural partnerships creating arts-related education and engagement. “In Plain Sight” invites the public to join their #FreeThemAll campaign.
