An interview with scholar Dr. Jessica Mecellem on this expanding autocratic action—and how we as ordinary citizens can fight back to protect our civil rights
Armed gangs wearing masks are disappearing people off our streets. I assume that stand your ground laws allow people to prevent being taken be unknown assailants
I remember overhearing a man insisting to his wife at a neighbouring table this past March while on holiday in Mexico (we are Canadians while the other couple were Americans in their early 70's, estimated): Husband: "But you've got to remember they broke the law." 'murmur, murmur, children too,' objected the Wife. Husband: "Yes, but they BROKE the law and that's why they're being deported!" This was when the ICE troops were rounding up adults without papers in targeted cities like Austin, Texas and splitting up families. Dr. Mecellem offers the perfect rebuttal with her well-researched investigation of the real role of enforced disappearances which is to terrify people, witnesses, everyone else really, into silence so they will stop criticizing the powers that be.
well it is always handy to remember Americans legally abducted, kidnapped, tortured, and abused other humans out of Africa for 246 years! Legally....This is part of our history along with all the legal harm done to native American Indians. We do not have a good record historically speaking, for fair and just treatment of persons of color. Remember the Japanese interment camps? All of this should be taught in history courses in grade school and yes we should be ashamed of our past and it should make us feel bad. But MAGA wants to 'white' wash our history so they can repeat the same crimes now and do the same thing...We need to stay woke and reject MAGA's desire to lull us all asleep by demonizing woke ideology and DEI policies. Only people led by Satan would demonize these things.
Enforced disappearance is such a scary term, because they're just GONE, and loved ones & lawyers can't find them. Can't imagine the anguish. I've been confused about the difference b/w rights of citizens and undocumented. "Seems" undocumented have rights, but what protects them?, since their original crime was coming in against our laws. Course, morally, we should protect the stranger .... but how legally? Would appreciate anyone giving me a legal answer.
Qasim, this is an excellent interview! It's so scary to think that people (especially here in the US) believe that enforced disappearances aren't happening.
I know people who wholeheartedly 100% support what Trump is doing and it makes me so, so scared. But I am going to fight back. And hopefully, so will others who are resisting Trump!
"Nearly a dozen immigration officers and eight deportees to South Sudan are very sick and stranded in a metal shipping container in the searing-hot East African nation of Djibouti, where they face the possible threat of malaria, poor air quality and rocket attacks from nearby Yemen... - Washington Post 5 days ago
Thank you! This is so important. I was particularly struck by what was said about trying to make people believe it isn’t happening. I know people myself who think it’s paranoid and “This doesn’t happen here.”
Armed gangs wearing masks are disappearing people off our streets. I assume that stand your ground laws allow people to prevent being taken be unknown assailants
Crossing the border was and may still be a misdemeanor. Imagine a forced disappearance for jaywalking.
Yep. Not even an exaggeration.
I remember overhearing a man insisting to his wife at a neighbouring table this past March while on holiday in Mexico (we are Canadians while the other couple were Americans in their early 70's, estimated): Husband: "But you've got to remember they broke the law." 'murmur, murmur, children too,' objected the Wife. Husband: "Yes, but they BROKE the law and that's why they're being deported!" This was when the ICE troops were rounding up adults without papers in targeted cities like Austin, Texas and splitting up families. Dr. Mecellem offers the perfect rebuttal with her well-researched investigation of the real role of enforced disappearances which is to terrify people, witnesses, everyone else really, into silence so they will stop criticizing the powers that be.
Thank you for sharing your insight, and for reading. Glad this was of help to rebut the disinformation.
well it is always handy to remember Americans legally abducted, kidnapped, tortured, and abused other humans out of Africa for 246 years! Legally....This is part of our history along with all the legal harm done to native American Indians. We do not have a good record historically speaking, for fair and just treatment of persons of color. Remember the Japanese interment camps? All of this should be taught in history courses in grade school and yes we should be ashamed of our past and it should make us feel bad. But MAGA wants to 'white' wash our history so they can repeat the same crimes now and do the same thing...We need to stay woke and reject MAGA's desire to lull us all asleep by demonizing woke ideology and DEI policies. Only people led by Satan would demonize these things.
It's almost like those in power are making accusations that are really confessions of their own actions.
So true! I'm glad that I had history teachers who taught about slavery, Jim Crow and the slaughter and removal of Indigenous people!💯💯💯💯👏👏👏
Enforced disappearance is such a scary term, because they're just GONE, and loved ones & lawyers can't find them. Can't imagine the anguish. I've been confused about the difference b/w rights of citizens and undocumented. "Seems" undocumented have rights, but what protects them?, since their original crime was coming in against our laws. Course, morally, we should protect the stranger .... but how legally? Would appreciate anyone giving me a legal answer.
1. As explained, undocumented crossing isn't a crime. It's a civil violation like a parking ticket or a speeding ticket.
2. The 5th Amendment affords due process of law to ALL PEOPLE in this country, regardless of citizenship or status.
Qasim, this is an excellent interview! It's so scary to think that people (especially here in the US) believe that enforced disappearances aren't happening.
I know people who wholeheartedly 100% support what Trump is doing and it makes me so, so scared. But I am going to fight back. And hopefully, so will others who are resisting Trump!
Thank you for continuing to raise your voice, Poonam.
"Nearly a dozen immigration officers and eight deportees to South Sudan are very sick and stranded in a metal shipping container in the searing-hot East African nation of Djibouti, where they face the possible threat of malaria, poor air quality and rocket attacks from nearby Yemen... - Washington Post 5 days ago
Why have they not been brought back ?
Yup. Outrageous. People in the Trump regime need to face accountability.
Thank you! This is so important. I was particularly struck by what was said about trying to make people believe it isn’t happening. I know people myself who think it’s paranoid and “This doesn’t happen here.”
The devil's greatest trick was convincing people he doesn't exist.
This is so important for people to know!👏👏👏👏👏💔