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Contents
Election Battle Continues Amid Policy Changes and COVID-19 Surge
Black Immigrants and ICE
Alex Padilla Makes History
COVID-19 Vaccine to the Rescue
Biden’s Immigration Plan
Demand Justice for Casey Christian Goodson Junior
Justice in the News
Election Battle Continues Amid Policy Changes and COVID-19 Surge
The investigation into Nashville Christmas Day Bombing Continues
Trump Signs Coronavirus Government Relief Measure After Long Wait
Hate-Crime Bills Gain Support in Arkansas and South Carolina
Why Republicans Are Fighting so Hard in The Georgia Senate Race
Ongoing Court Cases
Black Immigrants and ICE
The Black immigrant population has grown significantly since 1980, reaching 4.2 million immigrants in 2016. One immigrant, Ousman Darboe moved to the Bronx when he was six years old. He has been in ICE detention for the last 3+ years even though he was pardoned by Governor Andrew Cuomo. How did this happen?
Darboe allegedly stole gold chains from a female neighbor even though the police never found chains on him and he was identified from a lineup
He was coerced into pleading guilty so he could be released from Rikers Island, a jail known for its reputation of violence and abuse of inmates
Judge Charles Conroy (an immigration judge appointed by the Trump administration) denied Darboe’s bond because he posed a “very serious flight risk”
As a result, the Center for Constitution Rights and the Innocence Project submitted an Amicus Brief on December 10th for the case Darboe vs. Barr, demanding that the removal order against Darboe be dropped.
What impact has this had on Darboe?
He has spent over three years in civil immigration detention
He has only been able to hold his 2-year old daughter twice
He makes $14 every two weeks for his job as “houseman” for his unit
He is not allowed to touch his loved ones when they visit him
He was exposed to a mumps outbreak last summer and is currently exposed to COVID-19
Sign this petition to support Ousman and his release!
Education
Alex Padilla Makes History
On Tuesday, December 22nd, California (CA) Governor Gavin Newsom appointed CA Secretary of State Alex Padilla to fill VP-elect Kamala Harris’ Senate seat. The appointment will make Padilla the first Latino senator from California.
Here’s what to know about the appointment:
Padilla’s historical appointment is an impactful milestone as California’s state population is 40% Latinx
Padilla, the child of Mexican-immigrants, has served in public office politics since 1999 when he started as a city council member of LA
Most pundits hope that his appointment will lead to more Latinx leaders in high ranking political positions
CA Assemblymember Dr. Shirley Weber (the lead author of ACA 5: Prop 16) is expected to fill Padilla’s place as CA Secretary of State
Why was this a difficult appointment for Gov. Newsom?
Newsom’s appointment has received some flak from within the Democratic Party as there was a push for him to appoint a Black woman to fill Harris’ (the only Black woman senator) seat
Congresswomen Barbara Lee or Karen Bass were front-runners to fill the seat, yet Newsom chose to stick with a close ally
Considering this is an appointment, Padilla will be running for reelection in 2022
Regardless of the outcome, Newsom’s appointment addressed a long overdue issue. In a state where the Latinx community is the majority, it is poetic justice for California to finally have a Latino Senator. Because there was a faction within the Democratic Party who wanted to see a Black woman fill the seat, this may set up a tense reelection battle for Padilla. Nevertheless, Californians should celebrate this moment as Padilla continues to pave the way to make history.
Health
COVID-19 Vaccine to the Rescue
In 2020, much of the world suffered due to COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2. I’m sure many of us are breathing a sigh of relief with the Pfizer vaccine and now Moderna vaccines finally being released for use to the public. However, there are very strong opinions about whether to get the vaccine—or not.
Truths about the vaccine:
COVID-19 vaccines are a top priority—the CDC has made sure that while the vaccine was invented rather quickly it is safe and effective. There was a series of clinical trials conducted to ensure the vaccine works.
The government just recently ordered 100 million doses, which will ensure that every American is vaccinated by June 2021.
COVID-19 vaccination may cause some side effects, but this is a normal sign that your body is building protection. It is important to note that different people will react differently to the vaccine. The City of Hope is in its first stages of clinical trials and their particular vaccine will likely not cause allergic reactions.
Myths about the vaccine:
The COVID-19 vaccine isn't safe because of how quickly it was developed, this is further from the truth the vaccine was quickly developed due to the sensitivity of the pandemic.
If you’ve had COVID-19 you don't need to get a COVID-19 vaccine. There isn’t enough information currently to show if a person were affected how long they’re protected from COVID-19.
People will die at a higher rate, because of the negative side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine than people who actually die from the virus.
Everyone has the right to choose whether to get the vaccine or not. Some say the uncertainty surrounding the vaccine’s ingredients concerns them, but even in daily life, people aren’t fully aware of most of the ingredients in things they consume like mixed alcohol, fast food, and processed snacks. Nevertheless, it is important to help stop the spread of COVID-19 by social distancing, wearing a mask, and washing your hands. Do your part in helping us overcome this pandemic!
Immigration
Biden’s Immigration Plan
Trump’s immigration policies that included the separation of children from their parents, holding them in cages, and blocking asylum seekers from seeking refuge was highly criticized during his presidency. Biden has promised to immediately reverse those policies, however, how early he will take action and in what fashion is still up in the air.
His immigration proposals include:
Immediately introducing legislation, creating a path to citizenship for 11 million people who are in the United States illegally
Regaining U.S leadership in a multilateral effort to solve the problems that cause people to leave their countries
$4 billion regional plan to aid Central American governments to make “verifiably reforms” to combat corruption, strengthen the rule of law, promote private investment, and improve security
Ending “Day 1,” a program that requires asylum seekers, mainly from Central America, to await their U.S. immigration hearings in Mexico
Advocating for immigrants hope Biden will terminate the “return to Mexico” policy, known as Migrant Protection Protocols before the Supreme Court is expected to take it up next year
Suspending deportations from the U.S. interior while it “sorts out” new policies for Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Biden is taking a different immigration approach by linking the deeply interconnected problems in Central America to those caused by the United States. Biden has been echoing the sentiment of his top advisors—that it will take time to “undo” the damage that was done by the previous administration. The process will not be accomplished overnight; the administration believes that if they immediately use executive authority to implement Biden’s immigration agenda, it could cause a migration surge from the U.S/Mexico border.
Call-to-Action
Demand Justice for Casey Christian Goodson Junior
Casey Christian Goodson Junior, a 23-year-old Black male was shot in the back and murdered by police despite committing no crime. He was attempting to enter his home when a county sheriff shot him three times. In the US, Black people are targeted and killed by the police at disproportionate rates and this systemic racism needs to be rooted out and eradicated.
1 minute: Sign this petition
5-10 minutes: Read more details about the case and demand justice for the murder of Casey Christian Goodson Junior
$ for a good cause: Donate to Color of Change and/or other Black Lives Matter groups
Written by: Namrata Subramanian, Daniele’ Evans, Daisy Flores, Jacob Neel, & Raymond Hurst
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