Yesterday I drove to San Antonio for a rally. It was organized by UT law students with backing up from several non-profits including RAC-tx. Many leaders, attorneys, and a physician spoke on the inhumane conditions that asylum seekers who are awaiting in the border towns for their hearings are suffering, including many statements directly from individuals whose voices wanted to be heard. We marched to the court houses, then the Jews present went for a lunch and de-briefing at temple Beth El. Though the march itself felt a little like an echo chamber for people who are already involved, our meeting afterwards proved very effective for networking and spinning viable ideas of how individual Jews and congregations can get work together to make a difference. In the end, it feels like many groups and orgs. are working on separate things, but if we can somehow join forces or coordinate efforts, we will be stronger. So getting to know all the pieces of the puzzle so that we can put together the jigsaw faster is key. Present at the meeting were the following people: Rabbis David Segal (hou), Mara Nathan (SA), Marina Yergin (SA), Virginia Raymond (deportation attorney AUS), Olga (need more info SA), Lori Stockstiel (NCJW-SA), Bryan Daves (hou), Sharon Greenwald (SA), Julia Paley (RAC-USA, DC), Claudia Sanchez (CBI- Aus). I think the most important points that we made was the need to have a coordinated effort based on work that Baker Ripley group is already doing w court monitoring, and the availability of grant money. Here are my notes:
Peter krause foundation grant million dollar rack immigrant asylum 4 yr initiative Cohort of synagogues in us and Canada Mini grants 5k immigrant justice project, if other org. use synagogue as partner In addition seeking ways reform movement can act as a whole What r ways to use that power talk to julia paley from Rac usa washington One court monitoring Can this be done in shifts in tx or around country? Data Supplied to aclu - legal tactics used Informs how lawyers are doing Large day of action scheduled April 19-21 san antonio- commission of social action Possibly travel to border and mini events to echo around country
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Last night I was contacted by Rabbi Levy, who was contacted by Brett Sherwin, who was contacted by the people at Grassroots Leadership, Austin. They needed someone who spoke Spanish and was willing to "sponsor" an asylum seeker detained at Hutto. Her pro-bono lawyer is about to give birth and will no longer be able to help this woman, we needed to hurry and find her a sponsor so we can make a case to the judge pronto. As a sponsor, I will provide her a place to stay for a little while if she is lucky enough to have a payable bond. So, of course, I said yes.
So, this morning, change of plans from my usual mundane routine, I found myself driving through a part of Texas I've never been to, somewhere about 45 minutes northeast of Austin. It was a chilly, rainy, gloomy day, and I felt scared about what I would potentially see, and how it would make me feel. Remembering that I am on the good side of fence, and thousands of mothers and children are on the bad side, reminded me my thoughts were first world problems. As I turned right onto a desolate road that Google maps claimed the "Hutto Residence" to be at, I saw something I didn't expect. The tall chain linked fences of the prison on one side, and slow moving trains coming to a stop on the other. I literally felt a cold chill up my spine. My Jewish genetic memory took me right to "that" place, and the full circle moment of why I decided to join this fight became oh so clear. Inside, with only my driver's license, car keys and credit card, I was taken to room to meet with my "friend", whom I did not yet know. She sat alone in a couch in a visitation room. I walked up to her with a smile. She looked scared and hopeful and confused and happy to be taken out of laundry duty. We talked for a good hour. I became familiar with her story, which like so many others, is one of a choice of equally horrible outcomes. She is a sweet, caring woman, just trying to survive. She was so happy that I gave her a Fanta from the vending machine. "I haven't had soda since I got in here, 6 months ago." Oreos, Doritos, a smile for small joys. I will visit her again. She was very happy about that. When I got home, I quickly wrote the judge a letter describing my desire to sponsor and care for her, and make sure she is not an escape risk. Scanned a few documents, emailed to her lawyer. Now I await the court date for her bond hearing. The hope is the judge will lower her bond from the tens of thousands to something that can be paid by help from charities. She would then await her asylum in freedom. |
AuthorDaniela Weil is a kids' writer/illustrator who lives in Austin, and a member of Congregation Beth Israel. Daniela works as a volunteer there and for RAC-Tx. Archives
February 2020
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