Tuesday, June 25, 2019

"For God's Sake, They're Kids, Man"



A group of Texans read about the horrors at the Border Patrol facility in Clint, TX with migrant children, including toddlers and infants, not provided with basic hygiene needs like diapers, soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste. Austin Savage and some friends decided to load up their SUVs with those items and drive to the Clint facility to donate the items. Here's the Texas Tribune's account of what happened next:
"But when they arrived, they found that the lobby was closed. The few Border Patrol agents — Savage said there were between eight and 10 of them — moving in and out of a parking facility ignored them.

For a while, the group stood there dumbfounded about what to do next. Ultimately, they decided to pack up and head home. Savage said he wasn’t completely surprised by the rejection; before he left, the group spotted a discarded plastic bag near the lobby door holding toothpaste and soap that had a note attached to it: 'I heard y’all need soap + toothpaste for kids.'”
The Trump regime's refusal to address the unsanitary and inhumane conditions at this and other migrant detention concentration camps is part of their "zero tolerance" policy, which has attempted -- and failed -- to discourage immigrants from seeking asylum in the U.S. because of the terrible treatment they're given.

Local communities are trying to get supplies to the children, but many have already been moved from the facility given the public outcry about conditions there. One local resident had this to say:
“'It makes me feel powerless knowing there’s children taking care of toddlers and little kids,' said Gabriel Acuña, who grew up in Clint and attempted to visit the facility in his hometown Sunday morning. 'Knowing what’s happening in your community and that you can’t give these kids supplies to clean or clothe themselves — it’s heartbreaking.

For God’s sake, they’re kids, man.'”
This is nothing short of evil, and it's being done in our names.

(photo: The Clint, TX facility. Ivan Pierre Aguirre)

3 comments:

donnah said...

Thanks to your links, Hackies, I have sent a donation to The American Immigration Council. They may not be handing out emergency supplies, but it seems no one is doing that, and my donation will go toward establishing immigration laws that are not cruel and will benefit those who seek asylum. We have to have laws in place to make this concentration camp cruelty stop and prevent it from happening ever again.

I also emailed my Senator, Sherrod Brown, asking him to step up and help to end the cruelty. He's a good guy.

If we do not stand up now, they will run over all of us.

Hackwhackers said...

donnah -- That's great to hear! Thank you for standing up and contributing. We need more people like you in this country.

donnah said...

Right back atcha! You know how much I love this blog because you are compassionate, you find the beauty in our world, and you hone in on the issues with solid info and references. I trust you and I love coming here.

It's one thing to bitch and moan about how things are going, but we have to step up whenever we can to make a difference. I can't send much money to specific causes, but I choose causes and candidates with care and I believe even a few bucks can help. And as we draw closer to the elections, I'm planning to volunteer in as many capacities as possible. Complacency won't do it. We have to get up and do something.

Thanks, guys!