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freeyaakub

@freeyaakub

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Advocacy page for the release of Yaakub Ira, friend, photojournalist @yaakub_ira, and brother to us all.

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As America celebrates its 250th anniversary of Independence, our beloved friend and brother Ya’akub Ira marks his 39th birthday today— his 39th birthday spent in captivity.While the nation honors freedom with fireworks and parades, Ya’akub remains unlawfully detained behind steel doors and barbed wire for nine months, simply for exercising his First Amendment rights as a photojournalist and immigrant who has called America home for 25 years.A proud grandson of two immigrant combat veterans who received the Congressional Gold Medal of the United States of America, and a passionate voice for justice — today he continues to write powerful words of both critique and hope from confinement.This Independence Day, we reflect on the painful irony and stand with Ya’akub in calling on America to live up to its founding promises of liberty, due process, and freedom of speech for all.Freedom must mean freedom for everyone — including those who dare to speak.Happy 39th Birthday, Ya’akub. We see you. We stand with you. Your voice will not be silenced.Insha’Allah, release and reunion with family and your loved ones in Dallas is coming soon.#freeyaakub #birthdayincaptivity #america250 #justiceforyaakub #firstamendmentrights by @freeyaakub

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19 days ago

🚨 WEBSITE LAUNCH: freeyaakub.org is LIVE 🚨After months of unjust detention, we’re taking the fight for Ya’akub to the next level.Our official campaign website is now online — your hub for the full story, updates, ways to take action, media coverage, and how you can help bring him home.Ya’akub is a 38-year-old Muslim Filipino American DACA recipient, photojournalist, and dedicated community advocate who has lived in the U.S. for over 24 years with no criminal record. He was taken by ICE at gunpoint on October 7, 2025 for his First Amendment-protected speech and pro-Palestine advocacy.Enough is enough.➡️ Visit freeyaakub.org now ➡️ Read his story ➡️ Donate ➡️ Share widely & tag your repsJustice delayed is justice denied. Let’s bring Ya’akub home.#FreeYaakub #DACA #ImmigrantRights #FreeSpeech #JusticeForYaakub EndPoliticalPersecution by @freeyaakub

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2 months ago

Yesterday we gathered for Yaakub Ira in front of ICE, who was abducted by ICE while covering Marwan Marouf’s abduction. Tonight we will gather for Salah Sarsour.Every single one of them deserves our full advocacy. Yaakub’s mother was just diagnosed with cancer. Please don’t forget him. Help bring him home via link in bio. by @freeyaakub

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3 months ago

🚨 9 months detained — and Yaakub Vijandre’s Habeas Corpus decision is still pending..Should the government be allowed to detain someone for nearly a year based solely on their social media posts expressing personal and political views? This case raises serious constitutional concerns regarding federal overreach and viewpoint discrimination for everyone. Yaakub remains in captivity at the Folkston ICE Processing Center in Folkston, GAWe have not forgotten Yaakub — and elected officials cannot either.Take Action Now:* Sign the petition (Link in bio) → http://bit.ly/freeyaakub (We’re still pushing toward our goal of 5,000 signatures — every signature counts!)* Share this post + graphic widely to help flood elected officials’ inboxes* Contact Georgia Congressional Delegation: * Sen. Jon Ossoff → CaseworkTeam@ossoff.senate.gov * Sen. Raphael Warnock * Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) + your local repsReference the case number and demand expedited habeas review + release after 9+ months.Case No. 5:25-cv-00136-LGW-BWC (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Georgia)The longer this drags on, the more urgent it becomes. Sign, share, and call today — let’s keep the pressure on.Graphic Credit: @shireen_creates#freeyaakub #justice #habeascorpus #firstamendment #immigration by @freeyaakub

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11 days ago

🚨 9 months in ICE detention — and Yaakub Vijandre’s Habeas Corpus decision is still pending. Eric’s post from Yaakub’s legal team is going viral and let’s take action NOW! Again, this case raises serious constitutional concerns regarding federal overreach and viewpoint discrimination, based on social media posts expressing personal and political views.Reminder, Immigration Judge Blake Daughty ruled that nothing he says can be believed because of his politics.Direct quote from the decision:“The respondent’s worldview is informed by extremist ideology to such an extent that he no longer has the ability to provide reliable or credible factual statements… he no longer has meaningful grasp of truth about terr0rism and terr0rists.”This raises extremely important First Amendment concerns — regardless of one’s political views for EVERYONE.Call To Actions While Habeas is Pending — Help Expedite and :* Contact Georgia Congressional Delegation: * Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) — Submit casework request: CaseworkTeam@ossoff.senate.gov or online form. * Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) * Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) and your local GA reps.* What to say: Reference Case No. 5:25-cv-00136-LGW-BWC (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Georgia). Ask them to inquire with ICE/DHS and the court about the habeas petition status, push for expedited review due to 9+ months detention, and advocate for release pending proceedings.Share this post widely! Public pressure + specific case details help move things faster. Due process cannot wait.What action will you take? Comment below 👇#freeyaakub #habeascorpus #firstamendment #immigrationjustice #georgia by @freeyaakub

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12 days ago

Happy Birthday from Ya’akub’s Legal TeamYaakub’s legal team wrote this beautiful tribute because birthdays aren’t just legal matters — they’re human ones. They remind us of the phone calls that should be filled with laughter and cake instead of case updates. Of the hugs and dinners that detention quietly steals.“We will keep showing up. In court. On the phone. In every filing. Until Ya’akub can celebrate his next birthday where he belongs — free, with the people who love him.We remember. We will keep fighting.” - Yaakub Legal Team #freeyaakub by @freeyaakub

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18 days ago

9+ months. Still detained. Ya’akub should be celebrating his birthday, with family and friends, not in immigration detention.This July 6, take one hour to help bring him home. Join our virtual phone bank as we call elected officials and demand action.📌 Zoom | 2 PM CT🔗 bit.ly/call4yaakubTraining and a call script will be provided. Everyone is welcome. by @freeyaakub

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24 days ago

Join us for the first Townhall in Arlington, Texas in support of Ya’akub Vijandre, our beloved community member and unjustly detained Arlington resident. June 7 marks 8 months in captivity. This will be an evening of action and strategizing, with an open invitation to all of Arlington City Council to join us. We look forward to your support in the movement to free our brother Ya’akub. #freeyaakub by @freeyaakub

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2 months ago

Join us next Tuesday, June 9 at Arlington city hall again to demand that the city of Arlington demand the release of their long-time resident Ya’akub Ira.• Sign up for public comment by visiting (link in bio) https://tinyurl.com/jzt4kdmrJune 9 | 6:30 PMArlington City Hall | 101 W. Abram St. Arlington TX 76010ALL OUT FOR YAAKUB! by @freeyaakub

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2 months ago

Last night, Spoken Soul found a home among stories, photographs, and reflections at Br. Yaakub’s Sakeenah Exhibition.We are deeply grateful to the @museumasiantexans and @dallasasianhistory for opening their doors and allowing us to host this special gathering in such a meaningful space. Thank you to everyone who joined us, shared their words, listened with intention, and helped create an evening rooted in art, community, and connection.A special thank you to the @freeyaakub team for sharing Br. Yaakub’s beautiful work. His photography continues to inspire reflection, conversation, and a deeper appreciation for the moments that often go unseen.To learn more about Br. Yaakub’s story, support his case, and contribute to ongoing efforts, please visit the link in our bio.Until next time, Spoken Soul. 🤍 by @freeyaakub

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2 months ago

LOCATION UPDATE 🚨Spoken Soul is moving to the exhibition space at the Museum of Asian Texans / Dallas Asian American Historical Society for a special evening centered around this month’s theme: Culture, what you carry, even when you try to outrun it. Surrounded by preserved stories, art, identity, and the “Sakeenah” exhibition by Ya’akub Ira, the night will bring poetry, photography, memory, and community together in a deeply meaningful space.📍 1409 Botham Jean Blvd #110, Dallas, TX 75215🕡 Potluck: 6:15 PM🎤 Poetry begins promptly at 7:00 PMNote: We kindly ask all food to be Zabiha halalLimited Seats Available, RSVP in Bio! by @freeyaakub

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2 months ago

"Sakeenah" Photography Exhibition by Ya'akub Ira now being held at the @museumasiantexans. Extended for viewing until June 6th, 3-5pm.Don't miss the chance to experience a beautifully powerful exhibition that reminds us that tranquility (Sakeenah) can still exist even in the midst of chaos. May Allah grant Ya'akub strength, patience, and more Sakeenah through the challenges he faces, and May Allah bring him freedom, and justice soon inshAllah.@freeyaakub by @freeyaakub

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