More from close to home

 

From the median of the Capital of Texas Highway that borders my Great Hills neighborhood, here are more pictures of the wildflower extravaganza I documented there on April 29th. The yellow-fringed red flower heads are Indian blankets (Gaillardia pulchella). The yellow flowers are Engelmann daisies (Engelmannia perstenia) and the brown ones are Mexican hats (Ratibida columnifera). A few violet-colored silverleaf nighshade flowers (Solanum elaeagnifolium) were mixed in. Nearby, old plainsman (Hymenopappus scabiosaeus) stood out and some greenthreads (yellow, Thelesperma filifolium) joined the mix.

 

 

 

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Chutzpah

 

Migrants [i.e. people who entered the United States illegally] in Denver on Monday submitted a list of 13 demands that they say the city must meet before they leave their packed encampment and head into shelters. The group refused to budge until their extensive list… is met….

 

That’s from a May 9th article by Alec Gearty in the New York Post. The article lists the 13 demands:

 

1. Migrants will cook their own food with fresh, culturally appropriate ingredients provided by the City instead of premade meals — rice, chicken, flour, oil, butter, tomatoes, onions, etc. … Also people will not be punished for bringing in & eating outside food.
2. Shower access will be available without time limits & can be accessed whenever — we are not in the military, we’re civilians.
3. Medical professional visits will happen regularly & referrals/connections for specialty care will be made as needed.
4. All will receive the same housing support that has been offered to others. They cannot kick people out in 30 days without something stable established.
5. There needs to be a clear, just process before exiting someone for any reason — including verbal, written & final warnings.
6. All shelter residents will receive connection to employment support, including work permit applications for those who qualify.
7. Consultations for each person/family with a free immigration lawyer must be arranged to discuss/progress their cases, & then the City will provide on-going legal support in the form of immigration document clinics & including transportation to relevant court dates.
8. The City will provide privacy for families/individuals within the shelter.
9. No more verbal or physical or mental abuse will be permitted from the staff, including no sheriff sleeping inside & monitoring 24/7 — we are not criminals & won’t be treated as such.
10. Transportation for all children to & from their schools will be provided until they finish in 3 weeks.
11. No separating families, regardless of if family members have children or not. The camp will stay together.
12. The City must schedule a meeting with the Mayor & those directly involved in running the Newcomer program ASAP to discuss further improvements & ways to support migrants.
13. The City must provide all residents with a document signed by a City official in English & Spanish with all of these demands that includes a number to call to report mistreatment.

 

  

Like I said, chutzpah.

 

 

© 2024 Steven Schwartzman