Day 2 of Witnessing

An inspiring, saddening, exhausting day. We’ve been meeting several courageous, hardworking volunteers who show up almost daily to bear witness to what is happening at Homestead. They are friendly, upbeat, helpful.

We spent part of the morning standing on ladders, holding heart signs, waving and shouting slogans of solidarity to the 12-17 year olds waiting in line to play soccer or return to the tents where they eat or supposedly have classes. Many waved back. Then we scanned some of the more than 3,000 letters written by children across the country to the children interred here so that there would be a record of them in case DHS doesn’t keep its promise to deliver these letters to the children.

This afternoon Charlie, a tireless volunteer, took us on a tour of the perimeter of Homestead. Having noticed some Haitian security guards, I approached them in Creole and while friendly, they told me they couldn’t answer my questions. All the employees are under strict order not to speak to any of the witnesses or visitors. What disturbed and saddened me most was seeing the high double fenced barrier covered with impermeable mesh, behind which the 17 year olds are housed. Charlie told us that in the more than hundred days she’s been at Homestead they were only able to communicate once with the 17 year olds through the high fence. What’s more, the building where they’re housed has no windows. On their 18th birthdays the boys (and girls) are shackled and brought to adult prisons.

After a very late lunch we attended a training in preparation for the American Friends rally and march at Homestead on Father’s Day. We met people from Florida, New York, Washington D.C., Michigan, Minnesota, Colorado, New Hampshire, Illinois and Texas. It was heartening to know that they had come from far and wide to witness and protest.

We ended the training with a rousing rendition of “You Do Not Walk Alone” followed by a dinner and interfaith service. Alice, tireless and determined, stayed for the service, while the rest of us returned to our hosts’ homes.