Showing posts with label immigrants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label immigrants. Show all posts

Sunday, July 6, 2025

Letter to the Children in Cages

 💔 A Letter to the Children in Cages (and the Forgotten Ones Everywhere)

By Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita

Dear Little One,

I don’t know your name. I don’t know where they took you from, or where they’re keeping you now. I don’t know if you're cold, or hungry, or if you’ve already started forgetting how to dream. But I feel you. And I want you to know something:

You are not invisible.

I see you.
We see you.
Even when the world closes its eyes, some of us keep looking—even when it breaks us.

I want to say I'm sorry.
Not because I hurt you directly—but because I didn't stop it.
Because we didn’t stop it.
Because we adults failed to build a world where you are safe just because you’re a child.

You should be chasing butterflies, not fearing footsteps.
You should be painting pictures, not staring at fences.
You should be sleeping in someone’s arms, not on a cold floor.
You should be held—not numbered.

And if no one has told you yet:
You matter.
You are not trash. You are not a burden. You are not broken.

The people who did this to you?
They are the ones lost.
They forgot how to be human.
They lost the thread of kindness.
And now they hide behind policies and borders and lies—because it’s easier than admitting they’re afraid of children who remind them what they’ve lost.

I don't have much power. I don’t have money. I don’t have armies or offices.
But I have words. I have stories. I have my voice.
And with all of that, I say this:

You are loved. You are sacred. You belong to the Earth, and the sky, and the stars—no cage can take that from you.

If you are old enough to understand this letter, hold on.
If you are too young, I hope someone who loves you reads it to you someday.

Until then, I light a candle for you.
I whisper to the wind.
I smoke pot just to breathe.
I try to stay alive long enough to tell your story—to help others remember the children.

And one day, I hope this world is soft enough for you to grow in.
You deserve that. More than anyone.

With all my love,
Tina Winterlik
aka Zipolita
A mother who still believes in miracles
Even through the smoke and tears


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Monday, June 9, 2025

BBC: This Isn’t Reporting — It’s Framing Dissent as Danger A Callout with Receipts

Share and Be Aware!! Do BETTER!!

🇬🇧🔥 BBC: This Isn’t Reporting — It’s Framing Dissent as Danger
A Callout with Receipts

We need to talk about how the BBC is helping normalize militarized repression and undermine peaceful protest. Their headlines are not neutral. They’re loaded. Let’s break it down:

📰 BBC Headline #1:

“The Pentagon confirms it is activating 700 Marines in the Los Angeles area to help the federal response to protests against immigration raids.”

🔍 Why it's dangerous:
This headline blurs the line between protest and threat. Activating military troops on U.S. soil is not standard procedure — it's an extreme escalation. But the BBC frames it like routine support. It erases the constitutional crisis of using Marines against civilians.

📰 BBC Headline #2:

“Donald Trump has defended his decision to deploy the National Guard while California Governor Gavin Newsom sues the administration over the move.”

🔍 Why it misleads:
This headline makes it about a political feud, not a human rights issue. It distracts from the real question: Is this deployment legal or ethical?

📰 BBC Headline #3:

“In a possible sign of further escalation, Newsom claims he has been informed that Trump will be sending another 2,000 National Guard troops to LA.”

🔍 Why it stokes fear:
Instead of reporting the peaceful nature of many protests, the BBC focuses on "escalation," priming readers for conflict and fear. It echoes the government's framing — not the people’s.

📰 BBC Headline #4:

“Demonstrations began outside in downtown LA on Friday after it emerged Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers were carrying out raids across the city.”

🔍 Why it minimizes impact:
“After it emerged” makes it sound casual or bureaucratic. No — ICE raids tear families apart. Say it like it is: people protested because their communities were under attack.

📰 BBC Headline #5:

“Our correspondent Carl Nasman is at a protest which has been declared to be an unlawful assembly – watch live from the scene.”

🔍 Why it's biased:
Labeling a protest “unlawful” without questioning the legitimacy of the declaration sides with authority. It sets up viewers to view protestors as dangerous, rather than defending rights.

📰 BBC Headline #6:

“Trump’s earlier deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops triggered a political row – Newsom and LA mayor Karen Bass insisted local police could handle the protests.”

🔍 Why it distracts:
Another “political row.” No mention of community leaders, legal experts, protestors, or civil rights orgs. The BBC reduces mass mobilization to a spat between elites.

📰 BBC Headline #7:

“It is highly unusual for US military troops to be involved in domestic law enforcement.”

🔍 Why this one almost tells the truth:
Yes — it is highly unusual. But this fact is buried deep, rather than emphasized from the start. Why isn’t this the lead story?

📰 BBC Headline #8:

“One thing about the battle over immigration and law and order is clear: escalation feels almost inevitable,” writes chief North America correspondent Gary O'Donoghue.

🔍 Why this is harmful:
“Escalation feels almost inevitable.” Not because of protestors — but because the media keeps repeating it. This headline doesn’t report facts. It predicts violence, creating the atmosphere for repression.

🎯 Final Word:

BBC, you had a choice:
To center the families torn apart by ICE…
To amplify the voices of peaceful protestors…
To question military use against civilians…

But instead, you chose fear, framing, and fluffing the state’s narrative.

We see through it.

🛑 We will call it out.
🛑 We won’t let you normalize this.

Do better. Journalism should speak truth to power — not protect it.

#ShameOnBBC #CallOutTheNarrative #JournalismNotPropaganda
#ResistICE #BESAMEMUCHO #WarriorUpWithArt #FightBackWithArt #PowerToThePeople #PeacefulResistance


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Monday, April 21, 2025

Facing the Devil in His Final Hours: A Reflection on Pope Francis, Power, and Unfinished Truths

 Facing the Devil in His Final Hours

A Reflection on Power, Legacy, and Unfinished Truths

Pope Francis died on Easter Monday—a day symbolic of resurrection and hope. But for many of us, the feelings are more complicated.

His passing marks the end of a papacy that, while progressive in tone, still carries the heavy shadows of a Church deeply entwined with colonialism, abuse, and generational trauma.

I’m not a fan of Catholicism. In fact, I’ve spent years stepping away from the institution and all the damage it’s done—especially here in so-called Canada. The legacy of the Residential Schools haunts us. Survivors and families are still fighting for truth, justice, and healing. And let’s be real: while Pope Francis did apologize and call it a genocide, it took far too long.

Still, he was different.

Francis stood apart in key ways. He spoke openly about inequality, climate change, and the rights of the poor. He softened the Church’s tone on LGBTQ+ issues and took stands that infuriated the far right. He tried to shift the Church’s focus from power and doctrine to mercy and care. And for that, many—inside and outside the Church—respected him.

Which makes what happened in his final hours all the more disturbing.

Just before his death, Pope Francis met with J.D. Vance—U.S. Vice President, a figure whose politics embody cruelty, nationalism, and the very ideologies the Pope spent years warning us about. Why was he granted a private audience at the end? Why was the last global leader Francis met someone who has vilified migrants, fanned hate, and pushed policies that hurt the vulnerable?

It feels like Francis, in his frailty, had to face the very forces he fought against—maybe even a final symbolic confrontation with everything he stood for. And I can’t help but wonder if it stole his last bit of strength.

Let’s be honest: the Church still owes us more than apologies. It owes truth, reparations, and a complete reckoning. Francis made some steps toward that—but the institution remains broken. And now, without him, what direction will it take?

His death doesn’t absolve the Church. But it does mark the end of a rare moment when someone inside tried to steer it toward justice, even while carrying centuries of guilt.

Rest in peace, Francis. May the next chapter bring more courage, more truth, and real change. We’re still watching.

Tags:
#PopeFrancis #CatholicChurch #ResidentialSchools #TruthAndReconciliation #JDVance #PoliticsAndFaith #ChurchReform #Legacy #Colonialism #Reflections #EasterMonday #ZipolitaWrites


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Monday, January 27, 2025

The Human Cost of Transit Fares and Enforcement

 The Human Cost of Transit Fares and Enforcement


To Whom It May Concern,


I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the current state of public transit in Metro Vancouver, particularly the high cost of fares, punitive fines, and the increased enforcement measures targeting vulnerable populations.


What happened on the bus today was deeply disturbing. Four transit police officers boarded the bus at one stop and began checking everyone's passes. I’ve experienced similar situations in Mexico, where it’s normal for police to board long-distance buses and ask for passports. I was prepared for that there because I understood the context and purpose. But in Canada, this level of enforcement feels alarming and out of place.


I spoke with a young student who shared her own struggles. She’s been here only two years, working toward an Associate of Arts degree at a college near Metrotown. She told me about the enforcement that has been happening for the last six months, about the steep fines, and how difficult it is to afford the $200 monthly transit pass from Surrey to Vancouver. She’s just one example of so many who are being impacted by these policies.


Public transit was never meant to be a tool of punishment—it was designed to connect communities, provide opportunities, and ensure accessibility for all. Yet today, it has become a source of stress and danger for low-income individuals, students, and vulnerable groups.


Imagine the consequences: women and other vulnerable individuals being forced into unsafe situations because they cannot afford to get to work or school. Imagine someone you care about—a daughter, a brother, a mother—unable to pay a fine or afford transit. This is not a hypothetical scenario; it is the daily reality for many people.


Meanwhile, we see massive construction projects and "big plans" for transit expansion, but little thought seems to be given to the human cost. Public transit should be funded by those who can afford it—through higher taxes on billionaires and corporations that benefit from the infrastructure—rather than placing the burden on those already struggling.


History has shown us the consequences of ignoring vulnerable populations. The recent installation of cell phone services along the Highway of Tears is a tragic acknowledgment of the dangers faced by those without access to safe transportation. We cannot allow our urban transit system to create similar risks for people who simply can’t afford to pay.


I urge you to reconsider the current fare structure and enforcement policies. Consider eliminating fares altogether and funding transit through equitable taxation. Transit should be a public good that serves everyone, not a system that penalizes poverty.


The inventors and visionaries behind Expo 86 never imagined a transit system that would punish impoverished people. They envisioned a future of connectivity, opportunity, and progress. It’s time to live up to that vision.


Sincerely,

Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita 


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Saturday, February 18, 2017

He evades taxes, but they are trying to deport her...

Where is social justice? He should be deported!




"JEANETTE VIZGUERRA: [translated] Yes, my husband and I have both paid taxes the whole 20 years that we’ve been living here. Every year, we have paid taxes. And we’ve contributed our labor. And what many people don’t know is that immigrants can’t access the benefits of those taxes, any of the programs. That all stays here with this country. "

"The other thing that I want to ask is—supposedly, I am a criminal because I drove without a license, because I had expired stickers on my car, because I had false documents to work and put food on the table for my children. But what should we call you, Mr. President Trump, when you have been evading taxes for years, when the way that you’ve been acting is not in keeping with good conscience?"






Mexicans Border Crossing- The Entire Journey
https://mylangaratrccarvingjourney.blogspot.ca/2017/02/mexicans-border-crossing-entire-journey.html

 
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Friday, April 15, 2016

Big Protests in New York- It's time to RiseUp!

I've been so busy I didn't have a chance to share the BIG PROTESTS in New York yesterday. I'm just going to share a bunch of tweets here.












































HAPPY HUNGER GAMES!
Time the people RISE UP or it will be HAPPY HUNGER GAMES!!



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Monday, November 16, 2015

RE: REFUGEES -"The New Colossus"-Statue of Liberty

Hmmm...Ahem....to all those not wanting Refugees.... were your parents or grandparents any of these millions of immigrants...see below..

The title of the poem and the first two lines refer to the Colossus of Rhodes, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The poem talks about the millions of immigrants who came to the United States (many of them through Ellis Island at the port of New York).

The "air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame" refers to New York City and Brooklyn, not yet consolidated into one unit in 1898.
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statue_of_Liberty
The copper statue, designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, a French sculptor, was built by Gustave Eiffel and dedicated on October 28, 1886. It was a gift to the United States from the people of France.

The statue is of a robed female figure representing Libertas, the Roman goddess, who bears a torch and a tabula ansata (a tablet evoking the law) upon which is inscribed the date of the American Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776. 

A broken chain lies at her feet. The statue is an icon of freedom and of the United States, and was a welcoming sight to immigrants arriving from abroad.

Related Links
http://tinawinterlik.blogspot.ca/2011/05/rock-candy-revolution-tedxtalks.html 




https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statue_of_Liberty#/media/File:SOLparkParis.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6c/Head_of_the_Statue_of_Liberty_1885.jpg/330px-Head_of_the_Statue_of_Liberty_1885.jpg

Dedication

"President Cleveland spoke next, stating that the statue's "stream of light shall pierce the darkness of ignorance and man's oppression until Liberty enlightens the world".

"No members of the general public were permitted on the island during the ceremonies, which were reserved entirely for dignitaries. The only females granted access were Bartholdi's wife and de Lesseps's granddaughter; officials stated that they feared women might be injured in the crush of people. The restriction offended area suffragists, who chartered a boat and got as close as they could to the island. The group's leaders made speeches applauding the embodiment of Liberty as a woman and advocating women's right to vote"

Rock Candy Revolution See 13:13 Declaration of Independence

https://youtu.be/jFrPp8r_Lm4

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