When there is trap set up for you in every corner of this town

[sovay]

So today I basically fell over and slept for most of the afternoon. Three days without sleep will do that to you. This must be the self-care half of the equation.

Tomorrow there is a protest of Trump's anti-Muslim executive order taking place at Copley Square and I will be there. It's early in the afternoon, so I figure I can make it and still get to the active bystanding workshop in the evening.

Trump's Muslim ban is unconstitutional. It is already being challenged by the ACLU. But it was already implemented by officials in U.S. and foreign airports. People have been turned away. People are being detained. Refugees, green card holders, foreign nationals with U.S. visas, original citizens of any of Trump's cherry-picked list of countries (carefully excluding his business interests) now traveling on visas of different countries entirely. People are behaving as though it is legal, as though it is right, as though it is business as usual—or maybe they think it's sketchy and it makes them feel weird, but they must be following their orders anyway, or there wouldn't be anyone in detention or anyone stranded, unable to come home. And I keep coming back to that. It is not a moral act to follow immoral orders. We fought that out sixty years ago, if it hadn't been clear before. Stop making Trump's fantasies a reality. They don't deserve to be.

There are protests at JFK and Logan Airport tonight and those are only the ones that have crossed my friendlist. I hope at other airports. I hope in front of the White House. Anybody going to one of those, stay safe.

This must be what it feels like when people say to one another, "We need to take our country back." What an interesting historical feeling.

[edit] I got home and heard about the nationwide emergency stay of Trump's ban. That is good. So is the list of states with protests. The news about Bannon is not good. The All Lives Matter-ing of the Holocaust, as my husband calls it, is also not so hot. But the other things are also true and they may make a difference yet. And Autolycus has not thrown up once so far today (don't make me a liar, little cat), and that is also a victory.

Comments

[moon_custafer]

Refugees, green card holders, foreign nationals with U.S. visas, original citizens of any of Trump's cherry-picked list of countries (carefully excluding his business interests) now traveling on visas of different countries entirely....

In Canada, somebody pointed out our Minister of Immigration can't enter the US by this logic. Probably some of your Congresspeople too.

[dewline]

Not. Normal.

[conuly]

The ACLU managed to secure a stay. I think that only applies to people already in the airports, but it's a start.

[kore]

DUDE. I DON'T WANT TO GET TOO HET UP (ha ha too late) BUT A JUDGE BLOCKED THE DEPORTATION (which unfortunately probably means people will get detained, fuck, but at least not shipped off) and THOUSANDS of people showed up at JFK in an absolutely spontaneous massive protest. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/28/us/refugees-detained-at-us-airports-prompting-legal-challenges-to-trumps-immigration-order.html?_r=0

Schumer finally grew a fucking spine and said he's calling on Trump to rescind the EO and called Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly (who I thiiiink is not totally batshit?) personally.

I dunno -- I don't want to be premature -- But I'm hopeful. Very very hopeful.

[kore]

The All Lives Matter-ing of the Holocaust

Ahahaha someone just messaged me that same thing in disbelief. "Did he really just...." Yes he really just. Good God.

Aww, glad the little cat is feeling better.

[gwynnega]

I know there are also airport protests in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington DC. Some others too, I think. This gives me hope.

[heliopausa.livejournal.com]

Yes, for sure, about the legal challenges. And:
It is not a moral act to follow immoral orders.
Yes.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

I'll be in Copley Square too--maybe we'll see each other.

[juliansinger.livejournal.com]

https://thinkprogress.org/muslim-ban-protests-344f6e66022e#.6wktnh4ze

Also, https://twitter.com/igorvolsky/status/825497129330339841

[juliansinger.livejournal.com]

Wait, did I miss a cat update? Is he OK?

[ethelmay.livejournal.com]

Statement by Port of Seattle Commission in response to Trump administration executive order banning immigration
01/28/2017

​“This airport is owned by the citizens of King County and our responsibility is to steward it for their wellbeing and long-term future. The Port of Seattle Commissioners, Tom Albro, Courtney Gregoire, Stephanie Bowman, Fred Felleman and John Creighton are here today to express our concerns over the immigration ban executive order that was issued late last night. As the government that operates this airport, this executive order runs counter to our values. America is great because we are a land of immigrants and that is what made us great to begin with.

“As the operators of this airport, we are deeply concerned that the abrupt nature of the executive order did not allow adequate process for public agencies such as ourselves to provide service that travelers and families expect and deserve. We took it upon ourselves to request a full briefing from Customs and Border Protection to understand how they are addressing this situation. We respect these hard working federal employees who are under tremendous strain. However, when we felt that traveler needs were not fully met, the Port of Seattle stepped up. We started providing private waiting areas for families here at the airport and connecting families to lawyers who can help advocate for their rights and the rights of their loved ones.

“We met with some individuals who are impacted by this executive order. One of the impacted families happens to live right here in this community, and happens to be employed by this airport. We will continue to stand with you.” https://www.portseattle.org/Newsroom/News-Releases/Pages/default.aspx?year=2017#639

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

I must say I found it heartening that there were so many protests so quickly. But yes, the alacrity with which with Trump's illegal orders were implemented is frightening - as was Theresa May's evident reluctant to to condemn them.