Comic pg 1: "When Love Turns To Action. By Ched Nin. Illustrated by Tori Hong." Panel 1: "My name is Ched Nin. I was born in Parchanraur, Thailand and am a 1.5 generation Cambodian refugee. I have lived in the United States for 34 years." There is a digital illustration of a mountain valley on a sunny, hot day. Thatched huts make up the refugee camp. Several individuals walk on the dirt road. Panel 2: "I currently reside in Farmington, MN and work as a commercial carpenter for the Carpenters Union Local 322." A snowy scene of downtown Farmington and its storefronts. Panel 3: "I am one of the MN8 -- 1 of the 8 Cambodian Minnesotans whose family and community fought Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) to stop our deportation. A portrait of Ched in a blue suit and purple tie. He has a slight beard, shaven head, and tan skin. Panel 4: "August 26, 2016 changed my life. On this day, I was detained by ICE. On this day, I became an advocate and an organizer." An adult hand and a child's hand reach toward an adult hand with handcuffs. There is a dark grey space in between them.
Comic pg 2: Full page illustration with several text boxes, "In the six and a half months in ICE detention, my will was tested. I was moved from center to center in shackles with little to no food or water. I was alive, but completely uncertain about where I was going. My only source of strength during this time was LOVE. My wife and family radiated love. From inside my cell I heard their fight, because I realized the the guards and other detainees were starting to call us, the eight Cambodians who were detained, the MN8 boys. I began seeing my family in newspapers, even my mom was on the news in a protest. My family and community were fighting so hard, and that gave me the strength to fight from within the system." Ched is depicted in orange scrubs reading a newspaper in the detention center.
Comic pg 3: Panel 1: "I had a community of caring people fighting with me and my family, and on February 24, 2017 I was released." An illustration of chains breaking against a marigold orange background. Panel 2: "Being in the arms of my family -- it was the greatest feeling in the world." Ched is smiling happily in a group hug with his wife, and three of his teenage and adult children. Panel 3: "We had survived" handwritten in white against a deep emerald background. Panel 4: "I attended my first Release MN8 meeting. I received so much care and love from strangers." 3 Release MN8 organizers are depicted. One has her fist up, another has a cap with the word "Cambodia" embroidered onto it, and the last organizer is holding a sign that says "Not 1 More". Panel 5: "I was amazed by what my wife had built, and how she had organized people to fight for me and others they didn't even know. I learned that it was her love that moved people into action." Ched's wife facing forward, holding their newest born child against a sky blue background.
Comic pg 4: Panel 1: "Our people need liberty and justice, so after my release I continued fighting for the other MN8 brothers still in ICE detention centers." A handcuffed, brown fist raised high against a deep emerald background. The chain of the handcuffs are broken. Panel 2: "I now volunteer with Release MN8. I continue to share my story and meet with other impacted individuals. It's my way of pushing the love back into my community." Ched is in his blue suit, holding a microphone and talking. Panel 3: "Being inside ICE detention centers was tough, but because of community love I survived." Ched, his wife, and the three community organizers hold a green banner that reads "Release MN8". They are all smiling, and Ched is in the center with his fist up.

I had the honor to illustrate When Love Turns To Action (2020), a four page comic written by Ched Nin. In this comic, Ched tells his story as one of the Minnesota 8 – one of the eight Cambodian Minnesotans whose family and community fought Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) to stop their deportations. This lead to the formation of the campaign, Release MN 8.

When Love Turns To Action was published by the Coalition of Asian American Leaders. You may read the full comic by swiping through the image gallery.