12/7/22
By Sue-Ann Devito
Yesterday started with hearing about our travel partners. What brought us here? These are a couple of the stories from the 87 that have joined in from across the country.
A retired social worker and her husband: she taught people to pull people out of the river figuratively here they are doing it literally.
Right now we are too busy pulling people out to keep them from drowning - to have time to stop people that are throwing them in.
WHO’S throwing them in?
The couple have made a shared commitment to pulling as many people out of the water as possible, and looking as far upstream as possible to change things.
A gentleman from New York. He volunteered to welcome asylum seekers at the Port Authority. He witnessed a 10 month old arrive at the Port Authority wrapped in only a blanket - the mother was in a thin spaghetti strapped dress in October. She wasn’t worried about herself. She just wanted clothes for her child.
He had just visited his 3 month old grandson whose mother said she had too many clothes. Impacted by the difference between both babies’ lives, he is here to shape the world for both boys.
A woman from the region: For 36 years crossing the border discriminated against every day because of the color of her skin, and a different voice.
For her it is personal -imagine with her privilege of citizenship how hard it is to navigate two countries.
The decisions are made by the 1% who have no problem crossing borders to enjoy other countries why is there a problem with people crossing our border?
We need to change the narrative.
A film student from Brazil. “This country has been a difficult place-there is not many places I feel welcome. Here amongst you I feel welcome witnessing the witnesses.“
We drove to the river and followed a road along the border wall. It’s different here. There’s a local story about a man who struggled to climb over the wall. Once down on the other side, he realized he forgot his backpack. He then walked around the wall to pick up the backpack, as you’ll see in the pictures, it makes no sense. There is also evidence that customs and border patrol drag the dirt paths with heavy tires. This is so they can go back and look for footprints. I’m not sure how this makes any sense. Such a huge amount of resources spent.
There are homes on the edge of the river with no walls, no fences, a beautiful view and even a peace sign. Some are uninhabitable one gentleman stood outside filming us with one hand, his other hand on his gun. The deep divide of two different worlds clear even on this 9 mile road.
We then travelled over 200 miles along long open highways from Del Rio to Alpine.
I keep thinking- why do people say we have no room?
Along the way we, all US citizens, were required to drive through an immigration checkpoint. Signs posted alerting us that we needed to have proof of citizenship. We were questioned about the group- who are we what are we doing. It made me angry to be treated this way.
As we drove there was a group of military men on top of hilltop waved as we were going by- how did they know we were coming - interesting.
It’s unbelievable how many resources are being spent in an area that’s remote and the terrain seems too difficult for one to navigate on foot.
#journey4justice2022