Another vigil for the children: with shoes

Tommee Carlisle (in the red scarf, and in the Extra), a dear friend, a Quaker, and a member of my writing group, created an installation of a hundred pairs of children's shoes. She and about 20 others stood for two hours of silence in the drizzle, with the shoes, facing the Federal Building. The American flag waved and snapped in the wind. People hurried by with their bags of Christmas presents, glancing at the installation and at the people with their signs and candles.

I don't think there is a person left alive in this country who does not know that our southern border is a warzone; that people seeking asylum because of instability at home caused by the ways the USA advances its corporate interests, are being met with tear-gas. That 1500 children remain in custody, under indefinite detention. That a seven-year-old and a toddler died in custody this week. Everyone knows this. Most of us care, deeply, passionately. 

Some hang "bronze" shoes. Some hold vigils. Some pray. Some break windows. Some create installations. Some sing. Some make posters. Some demonstrate or sign petitions or write letters/emails/blog posts. Some give money. The abuse continues. What else can we do?

I didn't post yesterday because my friend Donna Hayes is in hospital. She's getting the support and the medical attention she needs, and she will recover, but I am part of her support team and I'll probably say more about all this in time.