More of the Same

"This past January, House Republicans announced what they call a “step by step process to common sense Immigration Reform,” the sum of which regurgitates the same old enforcement and punitive-based framework that we’ve seen for nearly a year. It calls for more border militarization, more criminalization of immigrants, biometric tracking systems, and harsher penalties for those they deem in violation. The Republicans in the House have put forward a scheme completely in line with previous prescriptions, such as the Safe Act, proposed by the House Judiciary Committee in June, and the Senate Bill that was passed in April 2013."

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Only Merely Human

Human Rights Rally and March Poster by xomiele.

Only Merely Human

"Hοw Free Arе Yου?

Sο οftеn I hear “Aftеr аll, wе′re οnlу human” οr “Thаt’s fine, уου′re јυѕt human.” Yου′ve probably ѕаіd іt yourself аѕ a placating remark tο console thе “human” уου′re talking tο аt thе time.

Bυt whаt аrе уου really saying? Iѕ thіѕ a sense somehow οf forgiving others (аnd yourself!) fοr being human? (i.e. fοr being yourself?) Surely thіѕ іѕ nοt necessary?

Therefore, dο thеѕе words reflect аn underlying belief thаt Jane’s (fοr example) behaviour іѕ nοt really acceptable, bυt rаthеr understandable bесаυѕе οf hеr “human” status?"

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Immigration and LGBT activists attacked at Romney/Ryan event

DREAM Act Protester. Photo by xomiele.

Immigration and LGBT activists attacked at Romney/Ryan event

"When protesters from immigration and LGBT rights groups spoke up at a rally for the Mitt Romney/Paul Ryan presidential campaign Friday, video showed them quickly getting shouted down and shoved away from the event by Romney supporters.

The demonstration, organized by the DRM Capitol Group, Presente.org and the Get Equal campaign, attacked Romney’s opposition to both the DREAM Act, which would give undocumented immigrants a way to earn permanent citizenship through either good academic performance or joining the U.S. military, and same sex marriage."

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Queer In Immigration Detention

Queer, Undocumented, Unafraid. Photograph by xomiele.


Queer In Immigration Detention

"There I stood in South Louisiana Correctional Center, hundreds of miles away from my home in sunny California. Immigration detention means the end of the line for most undocumented immigrants. But I was not worried when or if I would be released. In the first place, I went in there on purpose. I also knew there were people organizing to get me out, including Dreamactivist.org,Immigrant Youth Coalition, and people from all over the country. It was part of a “silent action” challenging the Obama administration’s immigration policy, which allegedly does not detain undocumented persons without criminal records. But there I was..."

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How SOPA/PIPA Can Affect You

Child in Stroller with Protest Sign by xomiele

How SOPA/PIPA Can Affect You

"The United States government has been facing an intense amount of pressure, mostly from the entertainment and computer software publishing companies for years to find some method of stopping the online piracy that is allowing people to own copies of their merchandise for free. This is of course understandable, nobody wants to see something they worked hard on to create something of quality be disrespected by people gaining access to it for free."

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