Brandishing signs declaring “Human beings don’t belong in cages” and “Close the camps,” dozens of activists rallied Friday night in Morristown to protest conditions in U.S. immigration detention facilities.
Hundreds of similar “Lights for Liberty” vigils were planned across America and on five continents.
The rallies came amid reports that the Trump Administration was planning weekend raids on undocumented individuals to discourage migration to the U.S.
At least five children have died in Border Patrol custody, or after being released, since December, according to the Associated Press. Overcrowding, unsanitary conditions and outbreaks of shingles and other illnesses have been reported in border detention facilities.
The United Nations’ top human rights official, Michelle Bachelet, this week said she was “appalled” by the situation. “This should never happen anywhere,” she said.
Her comments followed a report by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security inspector general citing dangerous overcrowding in Texas detention centers.
Last weekend, President Trump praised efforts by immigration officers to deal with the influx of people.
Many of the migrants were “very happy” with their new conditions, Trump said, because of the “extreme poverty” they came from.
Morristown’s rally started outside town hall and proceeded to the Morristown Green.
The Lights for Liberty coalition includes the American Federation of Teachers, Indivisible, the Women’s March, CASA and the Immigrant Defense Project.
Elizabeth Cronise McLaughlin, a lawyer and activist, helped organize Friday’s events.
If they have sponsors they aren’t illegal and ICE is not interested in them. They are going after people who are still in this country after ignoring deportation orders, most after serving time in prison. They are fugitives and must go.
So if I have a “sponsor” and rob a bank, then all will be forgiven? Where do we sign up for these “sponsors”? Too bad that all of the people in our county, State and Federal prisons didn’t know that they could get a “sponsor”.
How did I now the mysterious Jeff would make a comment like this? I found the tales of the refugees heart rending. Most of them had sponsors here waiting to take them in.
I agree. They don’t belong in cages. They belong in their own countries. If they want to be here they need do so LEGALLY.
As car as the Texas camps, all these people have to do is walk in the opposite direction. No one is forcing them to be here.