"SteveTheGamer55 is live on YouTube. He's streaming a session to his 4.6 million subscribers of GTA 5 RP, a Grand Theft Auto 5 mod that allows people to role-play with other players. "Really wanna show you guys some real-life scenarios," he says, offering a little background on his character, a man headed to his job while on a work visa."
"His character doesn't get far before an SUV swings onto the sidewalk in front of him; masked ICE agents spill out of the vehicle. "Stop right there," one of the uniformed players says. It isn't long before SteveTheGamer55 is surrounded by agents. He hands over his ID while bystander players yell at the agents and demand his release. "Why are you harassing people?" one says, before the worker is finally let go."
SteveTheGamer55 streamed a GTA 5 RP session portraying a worker on a work visa who is confronted by masked ICE agents and briefly detained. New Save Collective held a special event on November 20 where players role-played ICE raids to educate gamers about immigration enforcement and their rights. The collective comprises about thirteen gamers with backgrounds in activism and organizing. On November 21 participants will hold a closed Fortnite scavenger hunt as a more casual educational opportunity. The group is collaborating with immigration advocacy organizations and content creators to spread information online. Gaming platforms have attracted political organizing and recruitment efforts.
Read at WIRED
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