Another Monday rolls around. It’s not raining … yet! Granddaughter Number One has already posted to our group chat a whole litany of things that have gone wrong with this Monday. So it’s a fairly standard Monday.
The world continues to be more than a little crazy.
In Los Angeles there have been demonstrations against ICE and the president of the USA has sent the National Guard to “help” the LAPD police force to sort things out, against the wishes of the governor of California. California is a very wealthy state. I read somewhere that if it were an independent country it would be the fifth richest on the world. But they also rely on immigrant workers to do low paid jobs that Californians don’t want to do. Another bit of chaos!
Here’s something from Fox News this morning:
“Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials are beginning a nationwide initiative to arrest illegal immigrants after asylum hearings as they leave courtrooms, multiple sources familiar with the matter confirmed to Fox News.
The effort will target those who have been living in the United States for less than two years, sources said.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) strategy aims to get illegal immigration cases dropped. Federal officials plan to arrest migrants and place them in expedited removal proceedings, fast-tracking them to deportation out of the country, allowing for almost-immediate removal without a hearing before an immigration judge, according to ICE sources.
If a migrant has an active, pending court case, expedited removal cannot happen, which is why DHS officials are planning to get them dropped. Immigration judges, however, have to agree to drop cases, and so far, they are cooperating with the effort, sources said.”
Is it a coincidence that the acronym for Immigration and Customs Enforcement is such a cold word - ICE? The USA is still a relatively young country; only 150 years ago immigrants - yes, immigrants! - were still heading west in wagon trains. The current president, descendent of immigrants, seems to have forgotten that his country is based largely on immigration.
And protests are being suppressed. But back on our side of the pond moves are also ongoing to restrict our freedom to protest. Do we have the right to criticise other countries?
Meanwhile, here are a couple of pictures of Madleen, the boat Greta Thunberg has been travelling on to take aid to Gaza: food and medical supplies and baby equipment. Before and after photos - before and after being stopped.
Here is Zarah Sultana on Facebook this morning:
“Every person aboard the Madleen @gazafreedomflotilla is a hero.
The genocidal Israeli state’s attack on unarmed activists aboard a UK-flagged vessel delivering aid to Gaza is a flagrant breach of international law.
The UK must sanction Israel, end all arms & surveillance, & expel its ambassador.”
She continues to protest against the madness of the world.
On the brighter side of things, Carlos Alcaraz has just won Roland Garros, his fifth grand slam success, apparently won at exactly the same age as Rafa Nadal was when he won his fifth grand slam - 22 years, 1 month and 3 days. There are, amazingly, people who research such coincidences. And people like me who pass them on. At the press conference after his win, Alcaraz had this to say:
“Well, I mean, I have to realize that I’ve done it. I think that’s the first step. Honestly the coincidence of winning my 5th Slam at the same age as Rafa Nadal…I’m gonna say that’s destiny I guess. It’s a stat that I’m gonna keep with me forever. Winning the 5th Slam at the same as Rafa, my idol, my inspiration. It’s a huge honor. Hopefully, it’s not gonna stop like this.”
And both he and Coco Gauff, another winner, shared their triumph with the ball boys and girls.
Life goes on. Stay safe and well, everyone!
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