Saturday, October 27, 2018

These Are the Migrant Women and Children Donald Trump is Sending the Army to Protect America From

Bless these human beings who have suffered so much. May we all be brave enough to look into their eyes and know in our hearts the pain of their suffering... And I am also grateful for each and every resource which helps us to see other humans and recognize our shared humanity. There is much work for humankind to peel back the veils of our ignorance, indoctrination, and illusions and grow into our capacity for truly being humane and kind. Part of what I believe we are also called to do is to illuminate the truth again and again and stand up to the forces which fuel ignorance, dehumanization, violence, and suffering. May the religion of us all be kindness, caring, and compassion. — Molly
"We don’t set out to save the world; we set out to wonder how other people are doing and to reflect on how our actions affect other people’s hearts." — Pema Chödrön
"Men often hate each other because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don't know each other; they don't know each other because they can not communicate; they can not communicate because they are separated.... Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." — Martin Luther King, Jr.
"If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor." — Archbishop Desmond Tutu
"Washing one’s hands of the conflict between the powerful and the powerless means to side with the powerful, not to be neutral." — Paulo Freire

By Andrew Buncomb
Families pushing toddlers in strollers. A group of skinny young men who say there are no jobs in their country. A young woman from Guatemala being helped by medics by the roadside, her ankle twisted and swollen after six days of walking.
These are the Central American migrants Donald Trump is sending extra troops to the border to protect America from. 
On the highway between the southern Mexican towns of Pijijiapan and Mapastepec, thousands of people made their way – in groups, in couples, and some by themselves. They know Mr Trump does not like them, but many are pressing on all the same.
“There is no alternative,” said Alex Lonal, 25, a Guatemalan, whose cousin, Adelee, was being helped by the Red Cross. “There are no jobs, no work. The economy is bad. And it is a dangerous place – there are bandits.”
The size of the caravan appears to be dwindling every day. From a starting total of 10,000, it is estimated the number is now somewhere between 4,000-5,000. 
The Associated Press said sickness, fear, police harassment  – and offers of government money to cover the cost of their return journey – were each day chipping away at the total. Mexican officials said nearly 1,700 had dropped out of the caravan to apply for asylum in Mexico. 
Carlos Roberto Hernandez, of Yoro province in Honduras, ended his effort to make it further north after developing a cough during the heat and evening rain.
“We got hit by rain, and ever since then I’ve had a cold,” said Mr Hernandez said. Asked Wednesday if he would make another attempt to reach the US, replied: “No. I’m going to make my life in Honduras.”
But others are ploughing on, despite the difficulty of the journey and the knowledge that while many in America may sympathise with their cause, its president does not.

No comments: