This made me think of a recent event I got to witness in my home community (or at least where I'm still calling home in this time of a lot of moves). There was an awful case of a very-pregnant woman who was picked up near the border after walking for several days and taken to the local hospital, where she gave birth and border patrol attempted to immediately remove her without her newborn baby-- but the community was ready. Folks at the medical center mobilized so fast to get the word moving through networks. They connected her to an aid group who got her a lawyer, who went to the press and worked other connections to get word to the county attorney (who was elected in 2020 in a wave fueled in large part by the racial justice protest of that summer) and the mayor, who then moved quickly. Statements were released, people mobilized, and CBP backed off. She was released from the hospital with her newborn into the care of an aid group in the larger city up the road. There will still be immigration hearings to come, but it was a moment, a quiet moment that was easy to miss unless you knew the folks involved, where you saw why we build these circles of care and why the local elections matter so much, and why local news matters so much, and why all the rights trainings matter. Our local news story: https://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report/050325_migrant_mother_released/migrant-woman-who-gave-birth-tucson-hospital-released-by-cbp-saturday/
So well put, Kara. I wish we didn't have these moments that proved the need for caring community circles, but I'm so grateful for all the places they've coalesced. Thank you so much for sharing this story!
I think we are always moving in circles. Pooh and Piglet walked in circles but not over the same steps. Maybe the more we circle, the better at it we'll get.
Plus where is there anyway? I'm pretty sure I'll always want to circle back.
Recently I started trying to use social media to educate, posting to public rather than friends. I've worked really hard to not use any form of blame or scapegoating, and have encouraged name-callers on the left to be more respectful as well. This week, when my governor bragged on social media about the ICE round-up in our state, labeling all immigrant with the current national lies, I expressed, still respectfully, my feelings and concern. (What I didn't allude to was his employing of an undocumented housekeeper for several years.) That was three days ago and I'm still getting trolled, threatened and excoriated for having the stupidity to publish such a post (their words and accusations are much more offensive.) That does make me hesitant about in-person protests, which I've been attending all year. Sad how effective the bullying is for us seniors.
Thanks, but it let me know that I was getting the message out there. I came away both sad for and laughing at the mud-slingers... it just let me know that peaceful in-person protest has its risks and this old body is no longer built for that version of protest. We're VERY fortunate to have a county Sheriff (Republican no less) who has marched in the city with the protesters and then brought his staff to join city police in surrounding the outside agitators when they gather to destroy shops and people.
This made me think of a recent event I got to witness in my home community (or at least where I'm still calling home in this time of a lot of moves). There was an awful case of a very-pregnant woman who was picked up near the border after walking for several days and taken to the local hospital, where she gave birth and border patrol attempted to immediately remove her without her newborn baby-- but the community was ready. Folks at the medical center mobilized so fast to get the word moving through networks. They connected her to an aid group who got her a lawyer, who went to the press and worked other connections to get word to the county attorney (who was elected in 2020 in a wave fueled in large part by the racial justice protest of that summer) and the mayor, who then moved quickly. Statements were released, people mobilized, and CBP backed off. She was released from the hospital with her newborn into the care of an aid group in the larger city up the road. There will still be immigration hearings to come, but it was a moment, a quiet moment that was easy to miss unless you knew the folks involved, where you saw why we build these circles of care and why the local elections matter so much, and why local news matters so much, and why all the rights trainings matter. Our local news story: https://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report/050325_migrant_mother_released/migrant-woman-who-gave-birth-tucson-hospital-released-by-cbp-saturday/
So well put, Kara. I wish we didn't have these moments that proved the need for caring community circles, but I'm so grateful for all the places they've coalesced. Thank you so much for sharing this story!
I think we are always moving in circles. Pooh and Piglet walked in circles but not over the same steps. Maybe the more we circle, the better at it we'll get.
Plus where is there anyway? I'm pretty sure I'll always want to circle back.
Well said!
Recently I started trying to use social media to educate, posting to public rather than friends. I've worked really hard to not use any form of blame or scapegoating, and have encouraged name-callers on the left to be more respectful as well. This week, when my governor bragged on social media about the ICE round-up in our state, labeling all immigrant with the current national lies, I expressed, still respectfully, my feelings and concern. (What I didn't allude to was his employing of an undocumented housekeeper for several years.) That was three days ago and I'm still getting trolled, threatened and excoriated for having the stupidity to publish such a post (their words and accusations are much more offensive.) That does make me hesitant about in-person protests, which I've been attending all year. Sad how effective the bullying is for us seniors.
Gail you don't deserve that. Is there any way folks can support you on the social platform where you're getting bullied?
Thanks, but it let me know that I was getting the message out there. I came away both sad for and laughing at the mud-slingers... it just let me know that peaceful in-person protest has its risks and this old body is no longer built for that version of protest. We're VERY fortunate to have a county Sheriff (Republican no less) who has marched in the city with the protesters and then brought his staff to join city police in surrounding the outside agitators when they gather to destroy shops and people.
I love walking. I love a circle.