Last week Senator Andy Kim was tear gassed when he tried to go inside the facility. As a United States Senator, it is part of his job to oversee what is happening to make sure his constituents are being taken care of. Governor Mikie Sherrill (NJ) was denied entry. Families of detainees are not allowed inside. The detainees are being fed food with maggots, they are being denied medical care (one doctor for 800 detainees), they are not receiving due process (a right given to everyone in our country, not just citizens). Last week they started a hunger strike to gain attention. It is working, but the word is still not getting out. Maybe someone will read this and feel compelled to learn more.
Mainstream media is portraying them as being disappointed with what they are watching on TV. They do not have televisions to watch.
These are conditions that if they were happening at a school, hospital, or day care center would receive government officials to inspect.
The detention center is being run by a private company raking in a small fortune while not taking care of the basic needs of those imprisoned.
The situation has gotten so bad, that for the first time Don joined me for a protest. We did not bring a sign. Baby steps for him. We stood on the edge and listened. We heard from speakers who have gone to Newark to protest. Who have been attacked by pepper spray, who have witnessed NJ State Police shoving protesters into traffic and causing more harm.
The root of today's protest held in Trenton in front of the State House was to get the governor's attention. To encourage her to join us outside and explain herself. She stayed hidden during the hour we were there. I honestly don't blame her. She recently announced there would be safe zones where people can express their First Amendment rights. Well that didn't sit well with the protesters. In the United States we have the right to protest any where as long as it is not on public property. When that right starts to be whittled away at, we lose more rights. That's the definition of fascism.
Gov. Sherrill is a Democrat. Prior to being governor, she was a congresswoman who had a track record of saying just enough to seem to be on the side of protecting people's rights, without actually protecting them.
The speakers were passionate. The microphone was open to anyone who felt a desire to speak. One woman began with "I disagree with you," to be met with boos. She disagreed with a speaker who said it is okay for marginalized people to sit this fight out, that it is up to the white people who have been sitting stuff out to step up now. That we have to ratchet it up and leave our comfort zones. It will get tougher. Gentle protests in the suburbs are no longer enough. We must fight back with the force they are fighting with.
Some of what was said echoed what Springsteen said on his tour: we can't count on others to fight this fight, it is up to us.
I can't say I'm looking forward to leaving my comfort zone, but I need to figure out how to do so. We are in for a rough summer.
Signs seen today:
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