Bishop O’Dowd students Solidarity in Action team works to empower and encourage growth as a community of learners and agents of change. This active team on campus serves the community through advocacy and by working with marginalized groups through their social action campaigns. Their Social Action Campaigns include advocacy for issues such as Generational enslavement, Immigration support, Healthcare, Food distribution, and environmental needs. Here are a few of their campaigns and ways to get involved!

C.A.G.E. refers to the Cash bail and Generational Enslavement social action campaign created by London Walker, Delphine Parkin, and Anaya Prem ’26. C.A.G.E. aims to raise awareness about the cash bail system, which unfairly tests financial status rather than crime. Cash bail refers to a monetary payment required by a court to allow an arrested individual to be released from jail while awaiting trial. The cash-bail controversy centers on the debate over whether requiring monetary payment for pretrial release is constitutional, equitable and effective for public safety. Many share it discriminates against low-income individuals, disproportionately affects and inflicts harsher pretrial detention on people of color, and does not improve safety. One founder, Delpine Parkin, shares her advice for participating, saying, “The best way for someone to get involved is continuing the campaign after we leave, since it has to do with the legal system, meaning it takes longer and we have to be in contact with lawyers. Since we have also built so many connections, I believe this issue won’t simply be solved soon but may need someone to carry on the legacy of our campaign.” C.A.G.E. Founders hope to continue focusing on Riverside County, which is already facing a legal battle regarding the cash bail system. Planning to use successful elimination of this system as fuel for change. 

R.I.S.E. refers to the Reshaping Immigration Support and Empowerment campaign created by Maya Gonzales, Beatrice Wheeler, Ricardo Cornejo, Ocian Floyd-Haskell ’26. R.I.S.E advocates towards providing resources for allies of immigrants to help out the marginalized during this time. Partnering with the Diocese of Oakland, expanding their advocacy and awareness of the issue to different schools. The R.I.S.E campaign created purple cards, mirroring red cards which remind immigrants of their rights. While Purple cards list ways allies can take advantage of their solidarity and turn it into tangible actions to support immigrants. Distributing thousands locally and nationally, co-founder Maya Gonzales ’26 explains, “You can find purple cards in the library or front office building. That is definitely the best way to help out by following what purple cards say with listed actions on cards and performing and following through with them instead of passively holding them.”

H.E.A.R.T. stands for Health Equity Across Racial Treatment social action campaign created by Mason Allen, Zenze Taylor, Jada Jackson, and Braelynn Lillard ’26. H.E.A.R.T. aims to highlight the Black maternal mortality rate by advocating for increased doctor-patient transparency as well as spreading awareness and education for primarily black women to know their rights within the healthcare system, where they are often discriminated against. They hope to promote medical integrity and autonomy for all, collaborating with African American Pastoral centers and two Women’s Health Centers, to spread informational pamphlets to various other churches and centers. These pamphlets explain your rights, patient advocacy and healthcare awareness. H.E.A.R.T. is demonstrating how these healthcare inequalities extend beyond black women, and contribute to disparities in maternal health outcomes. Co-founder Zenze Taylor ’26 shares, “The best way to engage in our campaign is to join SIA, and feel free to reach out to me for more information regarding participating and spreading the pamphlets.”