Grannies Respond! Caravan speaks out against separation of children

Latest

Grandmothers and their allies feel it is morally corrupt to separate children from their families. They caravanned to the US-Mexico border to make their voices heard.
PHOTO/GRANNIES RESPOND/ABUELAS RESPONDEN

 
Editor’s note: Grannies Respond/Abuelas Responden is a movement of grandmothers and their allies spurred to action by the humanitarian crisis unfolding on the southern border. Below is their press release about a recent protest action they organized. — The editors
“I’m a member of Grannies Respond because I believe it is morally corrupt to separate children from their families,” says Rafiah Jones, a grandmother from Washington D.C. “Our legislation should uphold, not uproot, our morality.”
This is the inspiring story about a group of unlikely activists—a group of “grannies”—who are putting their bodies on the line and their lives on hold to stop the Trump Administration’s harsh treatment of migrating children and families.
We’re a group of 30 (and growing) grandparents who are heartbroken and outraged at the inhumane treatment of migrating children and families. At a time when so many are upset but don’t know what to do, we grannies are stepping forward with a powerful message of compassion for all children, regardless of nationality or immigration status.
On July 31, we’re setting out on a six-day caravan from New York City to the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas in order to speak out against this injustice. Our road trip will stop at ICE Detention facilities and other key locations along the way to hold rallies, sing songs, and offer a message of compassion while demanding the reunification and release of detained kids and families. These cities include Reading, PA, Pittsburgh, PA, Louisville, KY, Montgomery, AL, New Orleans, LA, and Houston, TX. We hope that people in each city will join us in the streets, and that others will be inspired to start caravans of their own to ride along with us.
“I have a responsibility to fight for the future of all those impacted, including my own children and my granddaughter,” says Tina Bernstein, a grandmother from Beacon, NY. “I’m joining this caravan because I want to connect with other people who are concerned around the country and say ‘no,’ this is not just.”
Contacts: Website: GranniesRespond.org; Facebook: /granniesrespond Twitter: @GranniesRespond; Instagram: @GranniesRespond, Email: GranniesRespond@gmail.com

+ Articles by this author

The People’s Tribune opens its pages to voices of the movement for change. Our articles are written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Articles entitled “From the Editors” reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: peoplestribune.orgPlease donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement for change. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff. The People’s Tribune is a 501C4 organization.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Featured

The Economy: ‘It’s the Best of Times, it’s the Worst of Times’ 

What's going on with the economy? Why is it that the stock market overall has been booming in recent months, while jobs are dwindling and many of the jobs that are available don't pay enough to live on?

Israel Has Buried Gaza in Rubble, But Our Love for the Land Will Always Survive

In this piece originally published at Truthout, Hend Salama Abo Helow, a researcher, writer and medical student at Al-Azhar University in Gaza, speaks about the deep connection of Palestinians to the land.

Nurses Forge Alliances to Protect Patients from Trump’s Immigration Crackdown

Nurses care about their patients and want to help them in every way; so they are organizing, building national networks for patients’ rights, fighting to abolish Ice, for healthcare, not warfare—all as an extension of their caring for all patients.

We Can Stop the War Against the Iranian People

Trump has pledged to keep committing war crimes in the US-Israeli war of aggression against the Iranian people, but the majority of Americans are better than this and are rallying themselves to stop the war.

‘They Tricked Me’: Father Chained After Going to ICE to Reunite With His Kids

The Trump administration is using migrant children held in federal custody to lure in their parents so ICE can arrest them, whether or not they have a criminal record.

More from the People's Tribune