What an amazing day at the mass rally to shut down Homestead Detention Center! Hundreds of people, both locals and out-of-towners like us, showed up for a spirited, passionate rally and march, despite drenching rain and some logistical issues (like the extra porta-potties that were ordered never showing up, leaving exactly one–and a need to change the designated parking at the last minute because the lot owners had announced they’d tow any car).
I felt really glad that we’d already spent two mornings at the site. Because we were knowledgeable, we were able to engage with several local people who are looking for ways to get involved, and tell them exactly how they could participate and who they could contact. And we also knew a lot of people outside of our own group of eight.
David Nurenberg from our affinity group was interviewed by both a local TV station (Channel 4, which also interviewed Betty Lynne Wolfson and used both in its story) and the Miami Herald. He’s a journalist and teacher who has three assignments to cover the march. And Alice Levine and Dina Friedman did a pre-arranged wrap-up interview (by phone from the restaurant where we Western Massachusetts folks all went out to dinner with Scott Merzbach from our local paper, The Daily Hampshire Gazette in Northampton. We also have a number of presentations and media interviews set up already at home. And the very first words in the Herald article were “David Nurenberg,” talking about how he is spending this Father’s Day away from his own kids to do this crucial work.
Speaking of continuing the work—there are plenty of ways YOU can get involved. For specific, easy action steps you can take to end this nightmare, please read Dina Friedman’s post, “Key Reasons to Shut Down the Child Detention Center in Homestead, FL and What You Can Do”, just below this one.
Here are some pictures
