By Arun Gupta (June 19, 2019)
We need a massive march on the border, tens of thousands who will peacefully, nonviolently disrupt the machinery of ethnic cleansing, to give aid to migrants, to witness and record the concentration camps, the killings, the torture, the ethnic cleansing.
The Left is good at mobilizing in large-scale protest: the anti-globalization movement, the anti-Iraq War protests, immigrant rights, Occupy Wall Street, Black Lives Matter, Standing Rock. All these mass mobilizations took place in the last couple of decades. All these movements helped shift the national debate.
The Left has the power to shift the national discourse. To make it clear we are not just going to let this happen in our name, we will use our bodies and brains and hearts to stop this and force everyone in this country to pick a side: either you’re with humanity or you’re with fascism.
If Trump wins again, full-blown fascism is a distinct possibility. This is about what path humanity takes. This is a moment where we need to stand up and stop what is happening. Whatever price we pay is nothing compared to that these migrants are already suffering.
There are far more of us than there are of them.
I’m down to help organize.
Me too!!!
March ion every camp. In WA they are ramping up to put 1400 minors in an old internment camp. If those minors had sponsors we could stop the imprisonments. I’ll sign up to sponsor at least two kids maybe even 5 what’s the limit? I agree. Today we decide; are we human? The time for sitting back and hoping it will pass is gone. If good men do nothing evil will flourish.
How do we sponsor a kid?
I am interested in yall’s work. can i get on your email list?
There will be a nation wide vigil. See below.
http://ww1.prweb.com/prfiles/2019/06/18/16389344/Final%20FAQ%20for%20First%20Press%20Release2.pdf
http://www.prweb.com/releases/embargoed_until_9_07_am_et_6_19_19_activists_launch_lights_for_liberty_to_demand_an_end_to_trumps_detention_camps/prweb16389344.htm
YES YES YES WHERE DO I SIGN UP?!?!
https://www.facebook.com/lights4liberty/
I like a vigil, but we need MUCH more. A vigil, sitting in the comforts of home, is far too passive a reaction to these atrocities.
Agreed. No vigil. March. Sit in. Fast. I’m there.
Couldn’t agree more. Now is the time to decide where we stand as people, organize & take action. Sponsor one of the migrant kids marked for the camp.
Surround every sanctuary city with a human barricade like the citizens.
How do we sponsor a kid?
I live in Toronto, Canada and would like to be involved. This atrocity needs to be addressed. I am sure that other counties would get involved.
The United Nations should send someone. This is a global, humanitarian issue.
Me too where do I sign up, dates, time, place please!
I want to be part of this!
I propose July 14
Set the date. Im game.
I’m going through chemotherapy, but I want to support this effort.
Sending you healing and the best of care!!!
I hope you get better and feel stronger every day.
Maybe it’s the purpose you need to keep going. Be where the light is…
I’m In. Tell me where to be and I’m all in.
This, but we should bring rifles and actually liberate the camps
No, NO GUNS, please. This needs to be non-violent.
How about bolt cutters for the fences?
Liberation!
When and where? I’m in.
When? I would love to see a planned, organized march on the border…
I’m down, but it’s gotta happen soon! I’m off for the summer!
How can we do this?
Just like Hitler’s concentration camps for Jews. Will gas chambers be next? Will anyone care? Will anyone notice? So far few seem to notice or care, what will it take? This NEW HITLER has his boot in the door. Has his faithful base followers. This is so close to the way Hitler started, in a small way, with a huge ego. I never thought I’d live to see this happen in our Great Country. The horrors of Babies dying in camps without their parents, should make it hard for anyone with a heart to go to sleep at night. My prayer that this will be stopped before it goes any further.
Why don’t you take the time to educate yourself before you post such stupid, horrific things comparing what is happening at the border and advocating violence (maybe not you, but the others who responded to the original post)? These people were suckered into leaving their home country and coming here against the law. The President begged and ordered them not to do it, but they came anyway and were detained. Whose fault was that? since you are so ignorant, I will inform you about those “concentration camps”: They are facilities which house the illegal aliens and in a separate facility the children. The reason for the separation is because these people come here with no identification papers to verify who their children are, and many of the children were rented out to the coyotes and sex traffickers who use them for profit. So unless they have proof that the children actually belong to the people they are with they go to a separate facility. Then, they all have beds, meals, sanitation, TV and games, other recreational activities, etc. The ICE officers many times use their own money to purchase diapers and wipes out of their own money if the facility runs out of diapers. The adults are housed similarly, with beds in which to sleep, good meals, entertainment and games, etc. These conditions, far from being home-like, are vastly better than they may have had in their original country. But to call these concentration camps and to use the words “gas chambers and fascism” is insulting and inflammatory. Go down there yourself and find out if you are so concerned. See what’s going on for yourself.
That’s absolutely false. No beds, 900 people in a space meant for 125, feeding unheated frozen food to kids, etc.
I have been down there and I completely disagree.
The DOJ argued in court this week that “safe and sanitary” doesn’t mean they’re required to give children toothbrushes or soap.
What would you do if you and your family were unsafe and had to flee. These are run by corporations that profit from every person they hold and I am pretty sure our tax dollars are paying the bill. Is this what you want to support? We are all one in Gods eyes so no one should be deprived of freedom for nonviolent crimes.
I would join in a mass protest if I can.
We’re going to go down there. In the hundreds of thousands, hopefully. That’s what this whole thread is about. Stand with your dictator, let’s see how it turns out.
How about we have better immigration policies that make sense, and welcome newcomers to this country with ease?
If that helps you sleep at night. Where did you get the propaganda? The ICE officers buying diapers is a nice touch, who changes the diapers? History will view you correctly – White Nationalist, wonder how it will read in 50 years? Even a gold cage is a cage. Who suckered them into coming? The big agro that needs cheap labor to harvest your food?
As to the children, papers can be fake. Ever heard of DNA testing? It’s common practice in US courts & we are pretty good at it.
I will go to the camps. I will see the truth because I know history. And history forgotten will be repeated. WW II didn’t end well for many.
Police & boarder patrol board greyhound buses & demand passports now? Happened last month in Spokane,WA. Wake up and smell the fascism.
You know the last place that happened & when? Check your history books start with out outline of ethnic cleansing & Nazi Germany.
You are the ignorant one. These families are fleeing violence and are seeking asylum. Look up asylum law. These families are NOT illegal. It is not illegal to seek asylum. And you have no idea what these families have been through. How dare you suggest that inhumane conditions are okay because they are better conditions than what they had in their own countries. And guess what…the reason the situation is so dire in Central America is because of more than 100 years of US intervention and dozens of US backed military coups. The US has systematically destabilized Central American countries and devastated livelihoods for many of the families fleeing to our borders. I’m fairly certain you will be one of the ones pleading “I didnt know” Just like so many Germans did after WWII. But I think you really do know. And you don’t care. Which makes you a despicable human being in my eyes.
PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH FURTHER INFO>> I WANT TO MARCH!!!
I’m in tell me when and where
I’m all over that! Count me in!
Why not help supply food, cloths, and time finding these children’s families so they can go home? Since 2014 these facilities have been working with 6 or 7 people caring for 200 children. The support money assigned to feed this kids disappeared because in 2015 the people managing the money had huge parties, embezzled some, and were misused. In 2016 secretary of state hid these from even the president and even though the kids kept coming, fewer dollars came and less kids left. When they were finally exposed the funds finally came and staff finally arrived. What they need is people willing to search for family for thousands. Because our president has spoke with Mexican officials twice, deals have been set up to get families home, in tact with in weeks. Families who stay for the overly busy court system are doing so knowing they could be there for up to five years, and they are doing so voluntarily. Stopping their food and clothing from arriving, hindering their court appearances, and causing the violence that liberals are known for would make matters worse for the victims. These are humans, not political pawns in some game you have for hate for a man. Just because you hate Trump does not give you the right to hurt these people. It is wrong and you are wrong for suggesting it. What kind of sicko are you?
You are unlikely to win support trying to insult others trying to help.
Lol, the party of lynchings, beatings, and rapists cites “the violence liberals are known for”. The hypocrisy is staggering.
100% agree.
Full-blown Fascism is already here ….
It could get much worse.
Not if we fight back.
I’m in, let’s go, how do we do this?
Sí
If there are buses to the border I would be a part of this march. I would be happy to share the information as well.
Count me in. I was a Standing Rock and supported the Water Protectors direct actions.
In! Tell us when and where.
Nationwide Mobilization July 12th
We are a coalition of people, many of whom are mothers, dedicated to human rights, and the fundamental principle behind democracy that all human beings have a right to life, liberty and dignity. We are partnering with national, regional and local communities and organizations who believe that these fundamental rights are not negotiable and are willing to protect them.
On Friday July 12th, 2019, Lights for Liberty: A Vigil to End Human Detention Camps, will bring thousands of Americans to detention camps across the country, into the streets and into their own front yards, to protest the inhumane conditions faced by refugees.
Across this country, we have witnessed acts against people fleeing persecution many of us thought we would never see in modern times.
At Trump’s human detention camps, teen mothers and babies are held outdoors in “dog pounds.” We have witnessed the sick and elderly confined to “icebox” rooms for weeks at a time. Unbelievably, children as young as 4 months are taken from their parents, medicine is confiscated, and medical care withheld, and LGBTQ and disabled individuals are held in solitary confinement.
“The Trump administration’s immigration policies and detention camps meet the United Nations’ definition of genocide and crimes against humanity,” [2] said Elizabeth Cronise McLaughlin, lawyer, activist and organizer. “Congress is refusing to stop the president and his policies. We cannot allow these atrocities to be perpetrated in our name.”
Perhaps most terrifying, refugees are beginning to be moved onto military grounds, where there will be a complete lack of oversight from the media, lawyers, and human rights monitors. Many of us thought we would never see anything like this in modern times.
“Now is the time for every person to stand up and say, ‘We will not accept this!’ No more hesitating. No more denial. No more fear. We need to be bold, and loud, and unrelenting. That’s the only way we can stop this,” said Kristin Mink, activist and organizer.
Lights for Liberty seeks to create this event in solidarity and allyship with communities most impacted by the abuse of our immigration system. We seek to work in solidarity with grassroots organizations both new and historic, those who are well-funded and on a shoe-string budget. We are moved to mobilize with anyone: moms, dads, and people of moral conscience who cannot stand to see families and communities destroyed. Simply put, our country is at a tipping point.
About Lights for Liberty: Lights for Liberty is a loose coalition of grassroots activists, with support from long-standing immigrants’ rights organizations and other organizers.
More information can be found at http://www.lightsforliberty.org.
If this will involve going south to the border be prepared for 107 degree or more temperatures. Very dangerous.
You obviously didn’t follow and read the linked material.
There are scores of local events planned.
Why, knowing that people have a hard enough time getting off of work, and wanting as many people as possible to join in your protest, would you hold it on a Friday instead of a Saturday?
I agree! I’ve wondered why we haven’t mobilized already and clueless how to organize such an undertaking myself. I’m very interested in see such an action become a reality sooner than later!
Organize it! I’ll help!
Can we begin organizing?
I’d go. Let’s make it happen.
So when are we doing this?
Let’s go!
I’m in
A vigil is nice, but a march may be more effective.
Let’s go. I use a wheelchair so an accessible bus would really help.
I am very interested in helping in any way I can. This is so very important to me, I hate where our country is at right now.
How do folks get involved? Is there a hashtag for coordinating yet?
Make one- don’t ask the question ACt!
I’m in!
let’s do this now
I’m in Louisiana. I want to take part.
I’m in!
Let’s go! When?
I can’t physically participate – mobility problems. Could help in other ways probably. Keep me in the loop.
I would go. Keep me informed.
How can I help?
YES! Soon. I can’t stand that we are putting kids in concentration camps. Just tell me when and where. And I hope it’s soon.
I’m in!
Let me know how, when, where! I’m ready!e
I want to stop commenting on Facebook and do something. I’m in, just tell me when and where.
I am so in
I remember what it was like as a 13 year old kid waiting for the FBI to arrest my father during that last national union strike of air traffic controllers – 1981. It traumatized me for 35 years . . . I cannot imagine what these kids and families are experiencing right now. I’m down . . . willing to risk everything for these kids. TIME TO RISE, strike and go for broke, like that union did in 1981 when they took a stand for political honesty against the Hero of the Republican Party.
That was when Reagan broke all the unions in America.
By breaking the unions, he also broke America, and here we are today.
, , !
! ✊
Let’s take them down! Is this anyway to treat our neighbors???
What’s the date. How can I help?
Arun Gupta, can you please contact me? I’m trying to organize something large scale. Your article has been gaining traction, and I would like to have your voice amplify our efforts. Please email me. This is not a joke.
Rachel
Signing up for liberty lites.
Contrary to Mr. Gupta – I disagree that our large scale street rallies actually influence anything. I think they are more for those of us who already agree. I think that in order to be effective, civil disobedience has to be carefully designed to literally *demonstrate* the problem. So – for instance – during campaigns for women and African Americans to achieve the franchise, they literally marched on voting booths and got themselves arrested attempting to vote.
I don’t know what the equivalent demonstration is here – but a march on the camps themselves seems like the bare minimum – as proposed by Mr. Gupta.
I tend to agree with you. Since Trump has been in office there have been several peaceful marches involving multitudes of participants (the march on DC after his inauguration, for example). What, if any, are the lasting effects of these marches except to “play to the choir,” that is, speak to individuals who already agree.
Because of cancer treatments I am having and also severe money problems, I cannot attend any of these marches. What I can do is write to members of Congress seeking their action to put a stop to the inhumane treatment. It’s all I can do right now.
I hope these planned marches accomplish action by Congress. I hope my little contribution of emails, postcards and letters also helps.
Peace.
Our protest stopped the Muslim Ban. We marched at all airports across the country. So I disagree with you.
Well, don’t go overboard, Paula. You cannot be certain that it was your protest that did that.
There were also other factors in play. I’m not opposed to marches – God knows I’ve been in enough of them, and even been arrested for it a few times. Personally, I believe we’re past the point where a few marches are going to be effective. A “million-man march” (or several in key cities) would at least wake up the media.
Full disclosure: I am not a fan of entirely peaceful demonstrations. Civil disobedience is a better place to start.
I’m In! I can envision organizing Freedom Rides in Homage to the civil rights movement, to help get tens of thousands down there. Let’s get started!
Please let me know! I woke up this morning needing a place to march, hold children in my arms, whatever I can do to stand with these children!!!Never Again!!!
Yes! I’m in. And let’s not stop until all families are reunited.
Lets do it! This will work!
I’m in! Tell me where to go!
We need a March to show we care
I’m in! Tell me when and where to go!
I’m available for being mobilized, but I lack resources and transport. Anyone who’s organizing can contact me at ethan.snow204@gmail.com
Please use the organizing info at http://www.lightsforliberty.org and coordinate with their efforts to put together ralllies on the evening of July 12. I’ll be in Toronto and want to attend an event there!!
When will you get it through your pampered heads that nonviolence is a dead end. I must have been in fifty nonviolent demonstrations that did not accomplish a thing. I was in one in NYC of a million people, and nuclear proliferation still goes on apace. Nonviolence works only to a point, and the State loves it when you are nonviolent. But bust a few windows and burn a few garbage cans, and the armed forces are alarmed and alerted. Do you think that the revolutions in America, France, Russia, China, and Vietnam were nonviolent? There is no progress without self-sacrifice, and no gain without pain. But who has the courage to suffer?
My sentiments exactly!
Let’s go. How about the last weekend in July or first weekend of August? El Paso, TX camps or Fort Sill, Oklahoma?
Where in Texas? I am so ready to set up a tipi right on tbe border!
I think there are thousands of people who would join this effort, including myself, but we need leadership to get the ball rolling. I don’t have the skills or experience, and I’m hoping that someone who does will rise up soon.
I think we should have one in every city possible.
EVERYONE
Get your hands on a copy of Gene Sharp’s “From Dictatorship to Democracy.” It is a Civil Disobedience guide which can be downloaded along with other titles which may interest you from the Albert Einstein Institution: https://www.aeinstein.org/free-resources/free-publications/english/ (other languages available).
We need to target institutions that continue to do business with ICE. But we also need to go beyond just closing the camps – and abolishing ICE itself.