A Walker and Portable Oxygen

When border skirmishes occurred along our southern border, families were infamously separated and detained. Children were separated from parents. Kids got sick; some died. Internment camps grew in size and number. Reconnecting families proved difficult due to poor record keeping. Some children were sent to foster homes over 1000 miles away. Parents were often sent back to Mexico or their native land without their kids. Finding each other through our federal bureaucracy took up to 2 years.

This is the face of calumny. In our own beloved country. Our country, founded on liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Friends of mine asked what we could do about this. At the time my response: take grandparent-aged people and an army of Catholic nuns, clergy from all faiths, and mass them along the border to seek entry to the child detainment facilities. Offer visits, cuddling and comfort to the kids. An army of these folks, remember. At least 1000 people per facility. Then sit back and see what the authorities would do.

Now much time has passed since that suggestion was made. It appears it is still needed! At the southern border and elsewhere.

Add to that the reality of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis and the reaction sparked across the nation. Yes, some violence was done at the time, but mostly not by protesters. The trouble was fomented by others that wanted to embarrass the protest movement, devalue it. But the effort to address the core cause of Floyd’s death remains.

Re-imagining community policing is one such core cause in need of serious consideration. COVID-19 management has sparked opposition from ‘freedom fighters’, rebelling against orders to wear masks, social distancing and staying home as much as possible. Protests have appeared. Social unrest and civil disobedience have occurred.

And authorities have not always reacted well.

So, now aged more and sporting a rolling walker (red and zippy!), and portable oxygen concentrator by day, nonportable one by night, I wonder what would happen if I and hundreds more of the same gathered to protest the growing conditions of chaos?

We watched a local protest march during the George Floyd incident aftermath, and they peacefully marched several blocks in our downtown area, then onto a state highway, sat down in the middle of a busy intersection, then peacefully arose, and walked home. I thought at the time I couldn’t walk that far. Nor could I sit without considerable help in getting back up.

But the thought remains, what would authorities and public do if a bunch of old people an religious cohorts gathered to protest unfair behavior by authorities?

I’d participate in this if others think it would work. Any takers?

July 19, 2020