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MORNING MESSAGE
Leo Gerard
When Republicans in Congress passed a big, fat tax break bill in December, they insisted it meant American workers would get raises totaling $4,000 to $9,000. But something bad happened to workers on their way to the repository. They never got that money. In fact, their real wages declined because of higher inflation. At the same time, the amount workers had to pay in interest on loans for cars and credit cards increased. And, to top it off, Republicans threatened to make workers pay for the tax break with cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. So now, workers across America are wondering, “Where’s that raise?” It’s nowhere to be found.
Father’s Day Vigil At McAllen Detention Center
Groups demand Trump administration end separation of families during McAllen vigil. KCBS:“Families from across the Rio Grande Valley made their voices heard during a vigil in McAllen on Sunday afternoon. Several groups attended the vigil including the National Domestic Workers Alliance, United We Dream, the ACLU, America’s Voice, People’s Action, Women’s Refugee Commission, Faith in Action, Women’s Refugee Commission, La Union Del Pueblo Enter and NETA. During the vigil, the groups called upon the Trump administration to end the ‘cruel’ policies of separating parents from their children at the border and traumatizing immigrant families. George Goehl, who is the Director of People’s Action, said during the vigil, ‘This administration has been off the rails since Day 1 but this is a new kind of off the rails. History shows us in situations like this if we do not stand up en masse and say, ‘this is not ok,’ it’s hard to get back on track. Our nations’ history is marked by moments where we heeded the call to stand down hatred and racism and there are moments where we didn’t show up. This is a moment when we can and must show up and shut this down. Here’s the thing, Donald Trump can make that happen immediately, this does not require an act of Congress, he can do this today right now on Father’s Day and we demand that he does just that.’”
Outrage Grows Over Family Separation
Outrage grows as families are separated. CNN: “The White House’s ‘zero tolerance’ immigration policy and resulting separations of undocumented parents and kids is exploding into the most emotive and politically unpredictable test yet of President Donald Trump’s effort to change the character of America. As outrage grows over traumatic stories of families being torn apart, the big question this week in Washington is how long the controversial practice will be politically sustainable amid a wave of criticism.
A related issue is whether Trump will pay a political price for his false claim that the separations are the fault of Democrats, and not the result of his own administration’s change in how undocumented immigrants are treated. Those questions are likely to be shaped by increasing calls for the administration to consider the morality of separating families. It’s not just the usual Democrats who are criticizing the administration — some prominent Republicans, including first lady Melania Trump and former first lady Laura Bush, religious leaders and influential figures in Trump’s conservative evangelical base are also speaking out.”
Inside McAllen Detention Center
Inside look at Border Patrol facility in Texas housing hundreds of children. CBS: “Inside an old warehouse in South Texas, hundreds of children wait in a series of cages created by metal fencing. One cage had 20 children inside. Scattered about are bottles of water, bags of chips and large foil sheets intended to serve as blankets. One teenager told an advocate who visited that she was helping care for a young child she didn’t know because the child’s aunt was somewhere else in the facility. She said she had to show others in her cell how to change the girl’s diaper. The U.S. Border Patrol on Sunday allowed reporters, including CBS News correspondent David Begnaud, to briefly visit the 55,000-square foot facility.”
Leading GOP and Dem Lawmakers Unite Against Separations
Leading Republicans Join Democrats in Pushing Trump to Halt Family Separations. NYT:“Leading figures of both parties demanded on Sunday that President Trump halt his administration’s practice of separating children from their parents when apprehended at the border, as the issue further polarized the already divisive immigration debate in Washington. Republican lawmakers, the former first lady Laura Bush, a conservative newspaper and a onetime adviser to Mr. Trump joined Democrats in condemning family separations that have removed nearly 2,000 children from their parents in just six weeks. The administration argued that it was just enforcing the law, a false assertion that Mr. Trump has made repeatedly. The issue took on special resonance on Father’s Day as Democratic lawmakers visited detention facilities in Texas and New Jersey to protest the separations and the House prepared to take up immigration legislation this week. Pictures of children warehoused without their parents in facilities, including a converted Walmart store, have inflamed passions and put the administration on the defensive.”
Hundreds March To Texas Tent City Holding Detained Kids
Hundreds march To TX tent city holding kids. NPR: “With chants of “families united” and “free our children now,” hundreds of people marched to the tent city in Tornillo, Texas, where children have been detained for immigration violations. The Father’s Day march near El Paso was primarily organized by Democratic Rep. Beto O’Rourke of Texas, who is also running for Senate against Ted Cruz. He says the march was the brainchild of Veronica Escobar, who is running to fill his seat in the House, as well as other community leaders. The march came together on short notice: O’Rourke announced it late Friday. Protesters gathered at a port of entry from Mexico, on the U.S. side, to begin the march. ‘There were lots of families out,’ Monica Ortiz Uribe, a reporter who was covering the march, tells NPR. ‘I saw dads carrying sons on their shoulders, parents pulling their toddlers in wagons, and I saw also a young boy with a sign that said ‘Keep families together.’”
Progressive Breakfast is a daily morning email highlighting news stories of interest to activists. Progressive Breakfast and OurFuture.org are projects of People’s Action.
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