GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE.
I AM THRILLED TO BE HERE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF NOW’S “UNLOCK THE FUTURE” CAMPAIGN.
WE ARE HERE BECAUSE WE STAND AGAINST THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S ANTI-LATINO AND ANTI-IMMIGRANT POLICIES THAT ARE HURTING OUR FAMILIES.
UNDER THIS ADMINISTRATION, WE HAVE SEEN FAMILIES RIPPED APART AT THE BORDER, AS THEIR BABIES ARE LOCKED IN CAGES AND FORCED TO SLEEP ON CONCRETE FLOORS.
WE HAVE SEEN THE IMAGES OF A FATHER AND DAUGHTER, LIFELESS IN THE WATER, AFTER THEY WERE REFUSED THE RIGHT TO SEEK ASYLUM.
WE HAVE SEEN MOTHERS AND THEIR CHILDREN TURNED AWAY AT THE BORDER AND FORCED TO LIVE IN TENT CITIES WHERE THEY HAVE BEEN PUT AT RISK OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND EXTORTION.
WE HAVE SEEN WOMEN AND YOUNG GIRLS DENIED ACCESS TO FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE, FORCING THEM TO HAVE THEIR PERIODS THROUGH THEIR CLOTHING WITHOUT THE DIGNITY AND RESPECT THEY DESERVE.
WE HAVE SEEN FAMILIES AND CHILDREN DENIED ACCESS TO BASIC HEALTHCARE OR HYGIENIC PRODUCTS, RESULTING IN THE DEATH OF SEVERAL LITTLE KIDS IN OUR CUSTODY.
AND WE HAVE SEEN OUR BEAUTIFUL LATINO COMMUNITY VICIOUSLY TARGETED IN EL PASO, TEXAS WHERE A WHITE SUPREMACIST INSPIRED BY THE PRESIDENT’S RHETORIC SHOT AND KILLED 22 INNOCENT PEOPLE.
LET’S MAKE ONE THING CLEAR: THIS PRESIDENT HAS GONE AFTER OUR CHILDREN.
HE HAS GONE AFTER OUR MOTHERS AND FATHERS.
HE HAS GONE AFTER OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS.
HE HAS GONE AFTER OUR FAMILIES.
THAT IS WHY WE ARE HERE THIS AFTERNOON.
WE ARE HERE TO SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
OUR FAMILIES DESERVE TO BE TREATED AS HUMAN BEINGS DESERVING OF DIGNITY AND RESPECT.
NOW IS PROPOSING A BILL OF RIGHTS FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS WHO ARE BEING EXPOSED TO INHUMANE CONDITIONS WHILE IN U.S. CUSTODY.
MANY OF THESE WOMEN ARE SEEKING REFUGE FROM SEXUAL VIOLENCE, ASSAULT, AND POVERTY.
WE SHOULD HAVE A HUMANE IMMIGRATION PROCESS THAT DOES NOT MAKE IT HARDER ON THEM OR DEHUMANIZES THEM FOR HAVING THE COURAGE TO SEEK THE AMERICAN DREAM.
MY MESSAGE TO ALL OF YOU TODAY IS: CONTINUE TO ORGANIZE, CONTINUE TO MOBILIZE, AND CONTINUE TO MAKE YOUR VOICES HEARD.
OUR FAMILIES DESERVE TO BE TREATED AS HUMAN BEINGS, NOT ANIMALS.
OUR FAMILIES BELONG TOGETHER, NOT APART.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT BECAUSE OUR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES ARE DESERVING OF JUSTICE AND LIBERTY BY VIRTUE OF THEIR HUMANITY.
SO, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
TAKE CARE AND GOD BLESS.