Chants of 'classrooms, not cages' as hundreds gather for immigration vigil in DC

[Mersky]

7. Hundreds in Austin. Saw a 2018 hero of mine and heard hard truths

Was so tired, but I made it to the vigil in time to hear Lloyd Doggett speak. You know, I forget how important it is to see other shining faces listening, nodding, chanting, and wiping away tears as you do the same. You can be heard as you listen, as you just stand there not saying a thing.

I darn near went and asked Mike Seigel, who sounded great at the podium, for an autograph. He successfully took on Waller County for their student voter suppression shell game operation. Would go on to give Michael McCaul a run for his money in a district that runs from Houston to Austin thru mostly rural, small towns known for smoked meats, speed traps, and more.

Here's the moment my heart stopped and tears flowed: an immigration attorney (apologies, I don't recall her name) spoke of something I never thought would need to be uttered in this country of ours.

I must paraphrase:


If you know of people living in fear over their immigration status, you can help them by going grocery shopping for them, run errands for them. Employers can help by letting them stay home, and still pay them.


I couldn't control my tears. The raids and draconian treatment are causing terror in people's lives.

DUers, my worst day is nothing compared to the oppression that families across the nation are living under right now. It's time to resist, peacefully, in whatever way you can.