City Council - Regular Meeting

Hola, compañeros, compañeras, compañeres, ¿cómo estamos? Bienvenidos a un programa más de Nadando Contra la Corriente. Y hoy me encuentro aquí con una compañera muy especial. Es nuestra compañera, compañera.

Hola, todo eso es Rachel.

Sí, sí, bienvenides, bienvenides a todos. Esperamos que todo el mundo pueda acompañarnos esta tardecita. Estamos también transmitiendo aquí en Facebook. Esperamos que todo el mundo pueda unirse, dejar sus comentarios. Si tienen algún saludo especial, si quieren saludar a alguien, déjenlo ahí. Vamos a estar platicando. Pero bienvenidos a un programa más de Nadando Contra la Corriente. And we know that time flies. So let's start a little with what we have for this afternoon. We will be talking about what is happening around the country with the deaths of migrants. We will be talking a little about what has been the reaction of the community, both here in Vermont and around the country. Estaremos platicando qué está pasando localmente con arrestos de la migra, qué es lo que tenemos que tener en mente, qué información debemos de saber. Y también, ¿verdad?, estaremos platicando de algunos eventos súper importantes que se vienen, como el... ¿Qué eventos se vienen?

Well, the Vermont World Cup. We're going to have the annual tournament.

That's right. And some other surprises that we have out there. So, yes, we have a full schedule for this afternoon. But very excited to be here. It's been maybe around two months since we've been there. We've always been there sharing things, but because of so many things that have happened, we haven't had time to do a live show. And now we are doing it from here in the studio, on Facebook, so that everyone can see the images. So all this, right? It's exciting to be here. And you know that I can talk a lot, so let's start with what we have for this afternoon. But as the title says, swimming against the current, right? I think this title cannot be more appropriate at this time, as we are seeing around the country. There have been very outrageous things happening for our community, deaths by armed forces of federal migrants, and our community is swimming against the current, resisting against this. And yes, I want to start, Rachel, by asking you a little about what you want to share, what you know is happening and all this.

Yes, community, it's been a very difficult week. We know that since last year, the migrants have been very active, let's say, looking for our community. But last week, ICE agents killed a colleague in Houston, Texas. His name is Lorenzo, a father of a family, a worker, He was a strong member of the community, and they killed him. Less than a week later, they also killed another comrade named Joan Sebastian in Maine, very close to us. And again, the same thing. The migrants were there on the street, looking for people. And what happened is that they stopped the vehicles where our companions were and finally killed, murdered those two companions. So, yes, it's very difficult. There are also two more people. A person in Florida who was trying to escape from immigration and was hit by a truck and died, and then another colleague in prison. So it's been very difficult weeks, right? Yes.

Yes, thank you for sharing this information, Rachel. Yes, I think it's important for our community to understand that these types of murders are not like one that happens here, another that happens there, or it's like in the hands of a single racist agent who is acting on his own, on his own. We know that this is part of a larger system where It is rooted in the history of this country, in the foundations of this country, where the lives of colored people, the lives of immigrants in this country, do not have the same value as other people. It is thought that they can do whatever they want without having any kind of consequences. So it is important that we understand this, that it is part of a larger system that is acting to Mantenera nuestra comunidad bajo miedo, que no salgamos, alzar nuestras voces. Es parte de la historia de este país, de un sistema violento que no solamente separa familias, destruye familias, pero también cuando decide puede quitar la vida a cualquier persona. for any reason or for any excuse, as Rachel shared, right? It seems that this person is trying to throw the car at the migrant agents, we are going to shoot him, right? Or we have told this person to park and he is not doing it, we are going to shoot him. So our lives are at the discretion of these agents. And it is important to understand this not only as an accident that happened here in Maine or another that happened in another state, but that it is part of a system that... this has been the story, right? And the goal is to put fear in our communities so that we can come out and raise our voices.

Yes, that's right, Abel. As you mentioned, it's something from the history of the United States. Before it was a country, right? Starting with the patrols who were chasing the enslaved people who were trying to escape to gain their freedom again. And since then, there has been a history of the use of violence to, as you said, silence and scare the community, the working class, to take away the power of the community. But the good thing is that after all these centuries, we have never let the power and voice take away from us.

Exactly, and I think that's why it's important, as it says here, we are demanding these injustices, we want to make it visible, we want everyone to realize what is happening, we are demanding justice, we are demanding transparency, And as an organization, we reject this system that is racist and where the lives of people of color, no matter where you come from, are disposable. So we want to be very clear on this, that as an organization, yes, we are also getting up to fight, but around the country, also in these last few weeks, in these last few months, before this was happening, Hemos visto que nos estamos levantando de la muerte de otros compañeros, compañeres. Ha habido un movimiento y parece que las comunidades se están despertando o se están dando cuenta que esto puede pasar a cualquier persona. Entonces, ¿qué nos pudieras decir, Rachel? ¿Qué está pasando alrededor del país? ¿Qué están haciendo las personas?

Well, as you can see in the photos all over the country, people are organizing, standing up to march, to demand justice. And it's something super powerful, right? The fact that despite the fear, despite the violence, the community continues to fight. And I know that there are going to be some super big action days, that maybe we're going to get together, God knows, but yeah.

Yes, yes, yes. Yes, well said, Rachel. In Maine, where one of the deaths happened, in Texas, in any state, in these last days, last weeks, here are photos of different places, as we can see, the communities are tired, they are tired, they are demanding justice and they are going out to take the streets. And it's important, as we talked about a while ago, Hablamos del miedo, como la meta final de este gobierno, de este sistema, es de que como gente de color, como gente trabajadora, no altemos nuestras voces, pero está pasando lo opuesto, ¿verdad? La gente está dando cuenta que la única manera de cambiar estas cosas, la única manera de... to have strength and to make visible the invisible is going out into the streets, demanding justice and raising our voices, right? And maybe that's scary, but together we are strong. It's what we've always seen here in Vermont. When we go out to march, when we unite, when we gather to demand a policy, a change of law, we have realized that the only way to do it is when we are together, we organize ourselves. So, here in Vermont, there are also things that we are doing. What were we doing recently, Rachel? Tell me.

Yesterday, in the afternoon, we were out there in Burlington, on Church Street, reminding ourselves of the people who have been murdered by the migrants, and also demanding that justice for them and also that there is no one more person, right? Because no one deserves, no matter where they are, nothing deserves to be killed by a policeman, right? By an agent, right? Because everyone's lives are important, right?

Yes, that's right, that's right. Here in Vermont, also the community, as we know, our community is growing, we are many more in Vermont, so different communities are going out to take the streets, to raise our voice, to demand justice, to demand transparency, to shed light on what is happening, right? So as we saw there on the screen, Hay algunas imágenes de ayer. Llegaron alrededor, no sé, yo diría 300 personas por ahí, más o menos.

Quizás, aún un poco más. Quizás, tal vez más. Yeah, fue un evento muy grande.

Sí, sí, fue muy chido ver niños, ver familias. see everyone go out, friends, take the streets. I remember that we were walking here in the church and there were people like super rich eating their dinner there, their pasta with their cheese and us interrupting. How did you feel at that moment?

Well, powerful, right? I mean, always when you are with the whole community, when we are screaming, singing together, like, I don't know, it's like the soul is strengthened a little bit, right? And honestly, something that caught my attention was the people who were giving their testimonies, right? I think there were At least one person who had never spoken like that in front of a large group. It's a very dear partner, Nancy. And her partner was recently arrested. And together we managed to free him. And she shared her testimony of how she was feeling, recognizing the community struggle that finally led us to the opportunity to free him. And I don't know, it was impressive to hear her speaking so, I don't know, so strongly in the march, in the event.

Yes, yes, if you're watching us, Nancy, we love you, we're with you. A great job yesterday, Jose too, Angel, who have never spoken, but as we are saying, it is important to stay quiet, to stay at home. El no tener comunidad y simplemente como estar a la espera que algo nos llegue a pasar, pues nos pone en un lugar un poco más vulnerable, ¿verdad? Sin una comunidad es muy fácil que abusen de nuestros derechos. Y por eso es que existe Justicia Migrante, una organización created by the community, for the immigrant community here in Vermont, and yes, we pulled, we pulled everything, we pulled evenly, and yes, as Raquel said, yesterday was a very powerful moment, marching, interrupting the dinner of the people who were there having dinner with their wine, their pasta, the rich people, and we shouting, Even harder. I would look at Cristian, who was there with the microphone, screaming. Always. Screaming very hard. And in the end, we always finished our actions with food. There were tamales, there was fruit water, from Jamaica. So really, these are actions where we continue to insist, everyone has a place in the struggle here in Vermont with migrant justice, and we invite you, it doesn't matter if you arrived yesterday, if you arrived today, Tienes un lugar en Justicia Migrante. Es tu organización. Y queremos que todo el mundo se sienta empoderado en llegar y poner un granito de arena. Entre todos somos más fuertes, ¿verdad? Porque también hemos visto que los ataques no solamente están pasando en otros estados. Los ataques están pasando aquí en el estado de Vermont.

As Isabel said, since last year, there have been about 150 people detained. We've all seen the news, many people have been in the marches, and we had a little time where everything was a little calmer. But unfortunately, in the last month, we've seen an increase in arrests again. In particular, we have seen companions being detained crossing the lake on the ferry, that is, on the boat. And what has been happening is that when people get off the ferry, they have been detained by ICE. So a warning, be careful there, a little eye that is a little hotter there in Plattsburgh. So yes, I just wanted to mention that. And yes, unfortunately we have seen some colleagues deported, but also as before, as you mentioned, we are to liberate members of our community. So it's one of the things that there is still hope, especially in the community, right? Because we are all stronger, as you said. But you have to be a little careful, know the rights so that you can handle the situation, right? Yes, yes, yes. Yes, as Raquel is sharing,

It's not that the attacks on our community have stopped. They continue to happen. There are still arrests. In New York, for example, for the people who work in construction, who are going to Plattsburgh or crossing the ferry, It's important to think, to have these talks with the subcontractors to know where I'm going to work. Because in New York there is no law that says no more polymigrants. The police, the sheriff can stop you and ask your status, call the migrant if they are pleased. So it's also important to have the number of migrant justice, of emergency, 802. 881-7229. There you have it. Yes, I already have it in my memory. We all have to have the emergency number in our memory. 802-881-7229.

And not only in memory, right? Especially in moments of high stress, like an interaction with the migrant, it is better to have it already saved on your cell phone, right? We have WhatsApp, so you can always contact us, send us a message, and we'll be there.

That's right, that's right. And yes, something maybe that is important to mention for all the people who are in their asylum process, something that we have learned, correct me if I'm wrong, but we have seen that there are some immigration courts or immigration appointments that have been advanced, if you had them for 2027, 2028, even for 2029, It's changing, and it's changing very fast. It could be that you checked or reviewed last week and your appointment was for 2029, 2028, and this week it can change immediately. So, what do you suggest for people who are in this asylum process and have to go to their immigration courts?

Yeah, pues como dijiste, las cosas están cambiando rápidamente, pero algo que siempre ayuda es estar al día, estar pendiente al sitio web de la corte. Es algo que pues ya sé con muchas personas con asilo ya hemos hablado, pero lo bueno es que la corte tiene un sitio web que puedes entrar a cualquier hora, sea como las 10 de la mañana, las 2 de la tarde, como incluso medianoche si no puedes dormir por... whatever, and you can just enter your number A, which is your case number, and check the information to see when the next hearing will be, where it will be, things like that. It's something that can feel very stressful, but it's not like we've seen that they're No sé, aunque están adelantando, es algo que hemos estado como esperando, ¿verdad? Entonces, no hay que como paniquear. Estamos bien acá. Tenemos, o sea, podemos platicar, ¿verdad?, acerca de las opciones y asegurar que, pues, tienes toda la información necesaria para poder tomar una decisión informada, ¿verdad?

That's right. That's right. It's super important. I think that everyone... Yes, as Raquel says, if there are doubts or questions, you can... you can look for Raquel.

You can consult with... and us, all of us.

Y podemos apoyar, contestar cualquier duda, cualquier pregunta. Lo importante es estar al día, estar pendientes y estar encima revisando esta página para asegurar que no ha cambiado nada. Recientemente hubo un triunfo, ¿verdad? ¿Me quieres platicar un poquito más de este triunfo sobre ahora ya las personas que van a sus cortes?

Ah, okay. Pues hay tantas... Muchas noticias. Muchas noticias y tantas victorias que a veces es difícil recordar cuál. Pero algo súper importante, súper bueno, es que ya se ha cambiado su política, ¿verdad? Durante el año... Pues año y medio ya, bajo el Trump, hemos visto que la migra está llegando a la corte para detener a personas quienes están ahí, como intentando hacer todo correcto, ¿verdad? Pero recién hemos visto un cambio de política, entonces ya la migra no debe estar deteniendo a gente en la corte, al menos que el juez diga que ahora es tu tiempo, ¿verdad? Que es algo súper como chido y debe como ayudarles a sentir un poco Ojalá un poco más seguras como llegando a la corte en persona si te toca, ¿verdad?

Sí, sí. Ya esto es un cambio muy bueno que muchas personas a veces por el miedo o la incertidumbre de, bueno, si voy a la corte me van a arrestar y qué va a pasar con mi familia, qué va a pasar con mis niñas en casa. Ahora ha cambiado esto, entonces es importante no faltar a las citas de corte. como acaba de explicar Raquel, ha cambiado esto, ya no te van a tener ahí, no te van a estar, no tener este miedo. Súper importante entender esto. Y con eso, hay... We have a lot of good news, right? Recently, if you remember, we were fighting here in the state of Vermont to push for some policies to continue protecting our community, right? And this fight was carried out with other organizations, with many people from the community who came to the House of the State, who gave their testimony, exposed the reality that is living in our community. ¿Quieres platicar de algunos de estos y podemos entre los dos? Compartir un poco.

Creo que son tres leyes ganadas. Ya, tres este año. Y si no estoy equivocado, es el año como más grande de cosas ganadas. Pues muestra la... the ability, right? And how important it is to raise your voice, share your testimonies, things like that. Well, speaking of the courts, maybe I can start with that, that the state of Vermont is going to give about $200,000, I think, so that there is another lawyer que puede apoyar en casos migratorios sin cobrar tanto, ¿verdad? Porque pues creo que todos sabemos los abogados sí cobran bastante, entonces el tener esa cosa ayuda mucho. Sí, es uno. ¿Quieres compartir otro, Abel?

Yes, the other one is called the safe places. Sensitive places. Sensitive, safe, where now the migrant cannot simply enter and make an arrest. They need an order signed by a judge and they need to have an arrest warrant. And this includes, and is very important for families, wards, clinics, hospitals, schools, churches. It also includes, for example, engines and vehicles, Nuestra comunidad llega y frecuenta para tramitar licencia. Y muchos otros lugares donde se provee como comida, los albergues, todos estos edificios públicos y otros servicios que son vitales para la comunidad. Entonces, ahora ganamos otras protecciones. No pueden arrestarte mientras estás yendo hacia estos lugares, durante en estos lugares. Cuando estás ahí, en el lugar. Cuando estás ahí, en el lugar. O cuando estás también volviendo. Cuando estás ahí, en el lugar. En el lugar. Entonces, es un triunfo grande. ¿Quieres compartir el otro?

I just wanted to mention one more thing about these sensitive spaces. It's something big, right? Because I know that many people have been feeling that fear of going to pray in the church, bringing their children to school. But something super cool too is that Los centros para apoyo después de que una persona ha experimentado un abuso de violencia doméstica, cosas así, también son incluidas en esos espacios. Entonces, si te encuentras en una situación en que estás experimentando violencia de un pareja, un familiar, cosas así, esos lugares son como parte de esos lugares protegidos. Entonces, hay un poco menos de miedo ahí. which is super cool. But yes, the last thing is that there is already a way to ensure that if it happens, and I hope not, but if it happens that a government official, an ICE official, a federal, violates the constitutional rights of a person, there is already a way to sue that person in the Vermont Court. So it's a new tool that we have as a community that we can use to ensure that they take responsibility for respecting the rights of all people in the United States, no matter where you are, of your skin color, those rights that we all have to be respected.

Ready. I tell you that time flies when we get into a topic and we can talk and talk, but thank you, Rachel, for sharing all the information. In a little while, we will transition. As you can see on the screen, we have the flyer. The World Cup is coming here in Vermont, the Migrant Justice Tournament. It's going to be this August 15th. It's a family event. We hope that everyone can come. There will be food from different places, different flavors. Come, eat, have fun, play football. We have a question here in the chat, Rachel. Maybe, let's see. Yeah, tell me. The question is... ¿Será seguro ir al torneo? ¿No estará por ahí el hielo?

Well, we've never had an experience with migration there. And it's an event that we've had for like 8 or 10 years, something like that. So there's no evidence that they're going to come to the event. But just in case, we're going to have a little bit of security to be there supporting. And also, as we've said, among many of us, we're powerful, right? Well, if I were a migrant, I wouldn't want to go to an event with 300 or 400 people. I hear your fear, but according to what we've seen, there's no reason to think that something is going to happen.

Yes, yes, we have had this for many, many, many years. It is a tradition. Likewise, nothing has ever happened. We don't think anything is going to happen. And as my colleague mentioned, we already have different measures to ensure that the community is safe. The details are here on the screen. The registrations close on July 31 for men. If you want to register equipment, contact Kike. For the colleagues, contact Marita. The phones are there on the screen. Take a screenshot. It's all over Facebook. It's on all the social networks of Justice for the Immigrant. Hay una pregunta más que nos hicieron acá, Rachel, tal vez la hago o la leo. Dice, ¿qué hacer si eres detenido? Y Ice dice que no tienes derecho a ver un juez y solo aceptar una deportación.

Uh-huh. Well, in situations like this, it's important to know and recognize that the police, the migrants, have the right to lie, right? So you shouldn't believe everything they're saying. Because many times they try to lie so that you can accept a deportation or something like that. So always, if you're detained, o detenida, debes marcar a Justicia Migrante en ese número que mencionó el ABL de 802-881-7229 para que podamos apoyarte en entender los derechos y también conectar con unos abogados, ¿verdad? Creo que hay ese grupo en Vermont, SMABAP, por sus letras en inglés, y también otros, ¿verdad?, quienes están pendientes de la comunidad para poder apoyar en momentos de, como,

Yes.

Of crisis, let's say.

Yes, and as we talked, we just won a little more funds for legal representation. So, that's a little bit what we wanted to cover for today. It's time, I think, to leave you again. Don't forget, you have a place in Migrant Justice. We need the band to arrive, to unite. It doesn't matter where you are from or how long you have. Todos somos Justicia Migrante. En estos tiempos nos necesitamos porque andar juntos va a ser la única manera de poder cambiar lo que está pasando y hacer justicia. Y nos vemos en el torneo. Ya estén pendientes al Facebook, a cualquier otra red social, por cualquier noticia, cualquier cosa que venga. Vamos a estar compartiendo algunos de estos detalles y haciendo el sorteo de los equipos, quién juega contra quién. Entonces, emocionante.

Las cosas más... estresantes del mundo.

Pero con eso nos despedimos.

Perfecto. Gracias a todos por conectar, por escucharnos hablando, chismeando tanto. Ha sido un placer, como siempre, platicar contigo, Abel.

Igualmente, igualmente. Siempre es bonito echar ahí un chismecito, hablar y todo. Nos vemos. Abrazos, comunidad. Les vemos pronto.