Source: Pedro Pardo/AFP/Getty Images / Getty
Celebrities Bring Attention To Inhuman Border Practices
In case you’re still in a tryptophan induced coma and haven’t been paying attention to the news, things went from bad to worse at the U.S. Mexican border in Tijuana on Sunday.
The events were captured by the Associated Press, AFP photographers and Time Magazine:
A baby is lifted by two Central American migrants at the U.S.-Mexico #border fence near a crossing in Tijuana, Mexico, on Nov. 25. Hundreds of #migrants attempted to storm part of the fence on Sunday amid mounting fears they would be kept in #Mexico while their applications for #asylum are processed. An @afpphoto photographer said the migrants broke away from a peaceful march and tried to climb over a metal barrier. Migrants at one point were enveloped with tear gas after a few tried to breach the fence; U.S. agents shot the gas, the Associated Press reports. #Children were screaming and coughing in the mayhem. Border patrol officials in San Diego said via Twitter that pedestrian crossings were closed at the San Ysidro port of entry—the busiest border crossing with Mexico—and all northbound and southbound traffic was halted. More than 5,000 migrants have been camped in Tijuana after making their way through Mexico in recent weeks. Many hope to apply for asylum in the U.S. Read more on TIME.com. Photograph by @ppardo1—@afpphoto/@gettyimages
The reports of AP journalist Chris Sherman were particularly heartbreaking as he described women and children fighting to breathe after being attacked with tear gas.
US Border Patrol has just launched tear gas into Mexico. Breeze carrying it hundreds of yards. Parents running away with choking toddlers. #migrantcaravan
Ana Zuniga, 23, from Honduras cradled 3-year old daughter with red burning eyes. “We ran but when you run the smoke smothers you more.” Said US agents began launching gas when migrants opened small hole in concertina wire at bottom of Tijuana River. She didn’t see anyone get thru
Actor George Takei was among the first celebrities to speak out against the use of tear gas at the border.
Make no mistake: Trump is testing whether he can get away with things like firing tear gas at young children. He is hoping these images harden his supporters to even worse acts to come. And he is banking on racism to get his way. We must oppose and condemn this. NOW.
Folks are acting as though we had no choice but to use tear gas at our border. But we have known about this group approaching for weeks. We could have had buses and agents ready to process people in an orderly and humane way. Instead, Trump closed the border and gassed them.
Kelly Rowland was definitely paying attention and reposted George’s message along with her own.
I’m disgusted to wake up to such filth!
But, take heed to this post!!
This IS all apart of the “strategy”. TRUST!
If they go THIS LOW!! What will WE do to make sure we change this administration!
#2020 is coming!
#itwillonlygetworse
#Getthisclownout
Rihanna reposed Chris Sherman’s message and used the simple caption “terrorism”
Zendaya reposted heartbreaking images of a mother running with her crying SHOELESS children and used the caption “An abomination.”
Anne Hathaway also commented on Instagram about the border policy:
My country gassed children.
There are no words for my horror.
To those who will immediately speak of “doing it the right way”, who will “blame the parents for putting the children in this position”, or say “they were storming the wall”, and “they were throwing rocks”: the only human response to this monstrous use of force against LEGAL asylum seekers- against children- is condemnation, shame, and rage.
For those that still believe in voting for the man who recommended using lethal force on families fleeing violence and persecution: this is the policy you like?
We just don’t understand how people can fail to have sympathy for women and children literally running for their lives from druglords. What has happened to humanity?
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