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BLOWN AWAY. Learned today that Fiona Apple pledged *2 years* of royalties from her hit "Criminal" to the While They Wait Fund we created for necessities, fees, & legal counsel for immigrants released & fighting for legal status. So humbled. Thank you! pitchfork.com/news/fiona-app…
The Fund was inspired by Nilda. From Honduras. Survived sex, domestic, & gang violence. Thought U.S. would protect her. Instead they stole her 2 y/o & detained her. “This is what happens when you come to my country” they said. She bravely told her story:
Nilda survived so much, first in Honduras, then on her journey, then in US custody. But even after her release & reconnection w/ her baby, her struggle continued. Unable to work w/o a delayed work authorization, trouble affording housing, food, basic necessities. 
Nilda is just one of 300k+ others now living in the US, applying for asylum, struggling to survive. Extraordinary crisis requires ambitious solutions. We (@BklynDefender) & @RAICESTEXAS set up whiletheywait.org to help pay for necessities, fees, & access to legal counsel.
“After months & months of reading the news about how my country is treating refugees, I’ve become gutted with frustration trying to figure out the best way to help.” You too can join Fiona Apple, and give right now to help asylum seekers: whiletheywait.org/#give
And if you somehow missed the powerful music video following Nilda’s journey by @ItsBennyBlanco, @Miguel, & @CalvinHarris shot by @jakeschreier, please watch & share. It’s beautiful. And real. ”I Found You.”
More: “Apple chose “Criminal” to fund her donation not just bc of the evocative title, but because it is her most-requested song for TV, film, & commercial placement. For the years of 2019 & 2020, any money Apple makes from “Criminal” will be donated.”uproxx.com/indie/fiona-ap…
More: “I could write a song about this, and maybe I will. But for now, I will use “Criminal” to help the wrongly criminalized get justice.”thefader.com/2019/07/01/fio…
More: “It seems to me that the best way I can help detainees is to contribute to payment of their legal fees. What they need is representation and guidance. When they are separated from their children they need help navigating the system.” spin.com/2019/07/fiona-…
More: “I want to ask other songwriters to donate just ONE TIME, the money they get for the usage of one of their songs to this organization or one of their choosing. With so much love, Fiona Apple.”rollingstone.com/music/music-ne…
You can read Fiona’s full letter here. Apparently she’s not active on social media. So she sent a hand-written note to her Tumblr fan page & they posted it. Love it. fionaapplerocks.tumblr.com/post/185962917…
Also: Not for nothing, “Criminal” is one of the all time best songs. IMO. open.spotify.com/track/6PNvv1dm…
Update: @ArianaGrande noticed Fiona’s generosity. From her Instagram story.
