What are they going to do with the children?
Asked at the July 14th ICE Out of Camarillo Protest
**This was originally written on July 16th.**
“What are they going to do with the children?”
That question will haunt me. The heaviness, the pain, were felt in the weight of those words.
At the Ice Out of Camarillo protest on Monday, July 14th there was a peaceful protest organized.
I recorded the end of the march which came to 321 Cortez Circle. I repeat that address over and over so people know exactly where it is and what it is.
In my other post, I talk about this more…
But I want to focus on this moment. Many who watched the live pointed out this piece.
It was not agitators that straggled behind… it was this one woman. She was in scrubs likely just getting off of work. We were not leaving anyone behind alone with these agents. Most folks had left. But before she agreed to leave, she said she has one question she wanted to ask them…
She sobbed. I hugged her. I choked on her pain.
I made sure to keep recording, because there are now many instances where this evidence may be the only thing that saves us. And it could be the very thing that places a target on my back.
I can’t tell you how many hurting people’s hands I have held, hugs I have given, sobs and gasps shared this past week.
It hasn’t. Even. Been. A. Week.
I’m grateful for family and friends that have given me grace, space, and warm embraces. The many messages from folks I haven’t talked to in 20 years to people I have yet to meet. The messages, words of encouragement, and gratitude not just from neighbors, but folks from countries/continents away. I am overwhelmed. In the best way (even if it’s the worst of times). I am so appreciative of every comment, text, call, or DM.
It’s the little moments that break me. Yes, I’ll shout how no matter how “safe” of a distance you keep, ICE will still come for you. And yes, that was terrifying. But what was more traumatic was seeing the empty vans arriving… a woman desperately asking “what will they do with the children…”
The American dream has become a living nightmare…
Our testimony, titles alone no longer save us. We need the videos, undisputed tangible, visible evidence of what was experienced. Even then things are still questioned.
But at least we have something.
You may think that being a bystander recording is not doing anything, when in fact it can make all the difference in ensuring justice is served.
It is legal. It is your right. Do not accept being told otherwise.
ACLU Protestor Rights: https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/protesters-rights#i-want-to-take-pictures-or-shoot-video-at-a-protest
More ACLU information on if you are stopped while photographing in public: https://www.acludc.org/know-your-rights/if-stopped-photographing-public/
If you’re a Joseph Gordon-Levitt fan (500 Days of Summer anyone?) here is a really adorable animated video on your rights done in partnership with the ACLU 13 years ago…