This week in OtherWords, our contributors grapple with the latest wave of ICE violence, including the killings of Minneapolis activists Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
The Rev. William J. Barber and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, two faith leaders, compare the killings to lynchings during the last century’s civil rights movement. And like the countless regular people who joined those movements despite the risk of violence, they write, now “we must each make our decision about what we will do with the power of nonviolence to reclaim the tools of our government.”
One very clear target that many advocates have identified in the wake of those killings is ICE funding. “Abolishing ICE is not only good for human rights in the nation — it would also free up funding for such critical needs as healthcare,” Sonali Kolhatkar writes. “Imagine living in a nation where, instead of pouring our collective resources into hurting and killing our fellow human beings, we pay to house, feed, clothe, educate, and care for one another.”
Also this week, Minnesota kindergarten teacher Kate Schuett writes about having her child care assistance frozen by Trump. And Paul Gordon highlights the dangerous trend of Trump’s judicial nominees being desperate to avoid offending him.
New This Week…
Alex Pretti and Renee Good Were Lynched. How Will We Respond? | William J. Barber II and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove
We don’t need better training for the men who killed these activists. We need a moral movement to disarm them and reconstruct democracy.
The Senate Must Not Fund ICE | Sonali Kolhatkar
The money fueling ICE’s abuses comes directly out of the pockets of working Americans who are already struggling.
We Need Child Care, Not Partisan Threats | Kate Schuett
Freezing child care funding on the basis of partisan allegations only hurts working families like mine.
Trump’s Judicial Nominees Signal Their Loyalty To Him, Endangering Us All | Paul Gordon
If nominees are so desperate to avoid offending Trump now, how can we expect them to fairly consider arguments that he’s violated the law when they’re judges?
In Case You Missed It…
Dr. King Would Be Standing Beside Those Standing Up For Our Democracy
Amid Devastating Federal Cuts, States Can Help Families with Direct Cash
The Federal Retreat on Child Labor Enforcement Threatens America’s Children | Todd Larsen and Reid Maki
Trump’s gutting of workplace safety enforcement comes as many states have rolled back their own efforts. That puts young workers at risk.
Big Oil’s Big Win in Venezuela | Basav Sen
Big Oil is a winner in the U.S. attack on Venezuela, even if they don’t extract a drop of oil from there.
