November 4, 2018

"[T]he caravan was organized through social media in Honduras, initially planned as one of many such caravans that have left Central American in recent years."

"But this one quickly grew in size, stoked partly by opposition activists in Honduras, as well as by a Trump administration eager to play to its anti-immigrant base.... [Ruben Figueroa, a leader of the Mesoamerican Migrant Movement, said,] 'Those of us who have been part of this process for years can tell you exactly who organized these people to migrate—they’re named hunger and violence... It got big fast because the migrants know the barbarity they’ll face while traveling through Mexico.'  They know that in a hostile environment, there’s safety in numbers.... The [World Social Forum on Migrations] seeks to do the same on a social level. It’s part of what Figueroa calls 'radical solidarity'—solidarity that goes beyond humanitarian assistance and shares responsibility for ending the vicious cycle of displacement, detention, and deportation and imagining freedom."

From "Why the Refugee Caravan Is So Big—and What We Need to Do About It/'Central America just couldn’t take it anymore.'" (The Nation).

46 comments:

rhhardin said...

Stay home and fight.

FIDO said...

I stopped reading when I saw it was The Nation. While they tend to tell the truth as they see it, that is an enormous caveat.

Plus who owns them?

Blaming the caravan on TRUMP? Oh my God!

J. Farmer said...

"stoked partly...by a Trump administration eager to play to its anti-immigrant base."

Huh?

Hunger and violence are problems in America, too. Nobody as far as I can tell advocates solving the problem by opening their homes to strangers.

Matt said...

Its inhumane to expect people to actually come here to enjoy blessings.

Let's stop fng around and extend US constitutional protections and welfare to every human (no human is illegal, after all) that is living or will live on planet Earth, regardless of where they are. Oh, and they can allvote in our elections, too.

And straight white guys have to cover the cost.

Birkel said...

Nobody cares about this caravan.
Those who care are worried about the millions more people watching if the caravan succeeds.
Millions of poor people would be a net negative.

Amadeus 48 said...

I am a big fan of coherent thoughts. What in heaven’s name is “the vicious cycle of displacement, detention, and deportation, and imagining freedom.” What does that mean? Anyone?

Fernandinande said...

high unemployment, gangs, corruption, and ineffective law enforcement

Their expertise in those services will come in handy.

Maillard Reactionary said...

They will need to be disabused of their expectations.

Fix your own sh*thole country, if you can.

Hint: Stop electing socialists.

Nonapod said...

"Hunger and violence"? Starving people are on social media?

RK said...

Anyone remember the UN? Let them handle it.

Sebastian said...

Somebody ought to tell those poor and caravaning masses to stay away from raaacist Amerikkka.

cacimbo said...

'And What We Need to Do About It."

Did I miss something? Could not find the answer to that question in the article???

BJM said...

Why are the conditions in their home countries our problem? Do they not vote for the tyrants they flee? Were we not assured by Liberals in the 80's that if the US stopped interfering democracy would bloom?

Gang members are travelling with them so I don't see how they will escape violence. Uncertain and afraid in a new, strange country/culture they will be easy targets and they will still have family members in their home country for gangs to ransom.

While they will be provided with a monthly stipend, they will still be living in poverty and exploited by politicians and employers. They are simply trading one unjust master for another.

YoungHegelian said...

I can understand how the caravan "self-organized" on social media without any problem. What I don't understand is how the caravan self-feeds, self-waters, & obtains means of transportation & toilets & whatnot without lots of cash changing hands.

Nice of the article to mention that transitioning Mexico is a real ordeal for Central American migrants. Funny how the MSM so often leaves that out of the story.

D 2 said...

"...and What We Need to Do About It" is an increasingly annoying turn of phrase that, I venture, has increased in use on ye ol internets click bait newsposts in the last decade or so.

Whatcha Gonna Do About It? , on the other hand, is a classic Small Faces song.

Things I would click on:
Here's 6 reasons why you should be listening to the Small Faces instead of reading another Nation article.
How Donald Trump is trying to stop you from listening to the Small Faces.
Doctors discover two super Small Faces songs that will help you lose weight in minutes.

bagoh20 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Darrell said...

Did Soros pay for this article?

bagoh20 said...

If all those people marched on their own government, they wouldn't have to find another country. The ethics of the caravan are those of a looting mob. They plan on breaking in and taking what they can.

bagoh20 said...

Have you seen them? They have NOT been starving.

Curious George said...

"And What We Need to Do About It."

They're invaders. Treat them as such.

BJM said...

Why are the conditions in their home countries our problem? Do they not vote for the tyrants they flee? Were we not told by liberals in the 80s that if the US would just butt out that democracy would bloom in Central America?

I don't see how they will be escaping gang violence as gang members are travelling with them. Uncertain of our laws and afraid of authorities in a new, strange country/culture they will be easy targets and will still have family members in their home country for gangs to ransom.

They may receive a monthly stipend and other basic necessities, but will remain in poverty, clinging together in isolated enclaves to be exploited by gangs, unscrupulous politicians, lenders, landlords and employers alike.

Are they not simply exchanging one unjust master for another?

Jersey Fled said...

Fox news reported a few days ago that the caravan is now down to about 4000. That's fewer than show up for a Trump rally lately. But of course the MSM will continue to hype it at least through next Tuesday.

chuck said...

I would think The Nation would recommend that the caravan head for that socialist paradise, Venezuela. Or maybe Nicaragua in a pinch. Or for the truly ambitious, recommend they build boats and head to Cuba.

Jersey Fled said...

Put another way, if reports that the caravan is down to about 4000 is correct, that's about 1/4 as many people as attend the average NBA game.

Let the hype continue.

Assistant Village Idiot said...

"...vicious cycle of displacement, detention, and deportation, and imagining freedom." I think it means illegally coming to America, getting caught and sent home, and feeling bad about that, so you try again. Because it's not your fault.

So hunger and violence are the cause of the caravan? Those are brand new in Central America this year? I don't think the "they just can't take it anymore" explanation holds. What is different is the hope of succeeding.

Tom T. said...

Interesting that the Nation feels free to refer to Mexicans as barbarians.

JackWayne said...

“It’s part of what Figueroa calls 'radical solidarity'—solidarity that goes beyond humanitarian assistance and shares responsibility for ending the vicious cycle of displacement, detention, and deportation and imagining freedom."

When not in a shithole country this is commonly known as voting for good government, not trying to invade a better country:

n.n said...

America has a good neighbor policy with Mexico and helps them tend their garden. Mexico has a good neighbor policy with Honduras, Guatemala, etc. and helps them tend their gardens. And so on and so forth until emigration reform resolves the collateral damage from immigration reform at both ends of the bridge and throughout.

n.n said...

Also, the very real risk of human trafficking, child exploitation, rape-rape, and separation of babies from their ineligible mothers and/or fathers. There is a desperate need for emigration reform to mitigate the progress of immigration reform including refugee crises.

Anonymous said...

[Ruben Figueroa, a leader of the Mesoamerican Migrant Movement, said,] 'Those of us who have been part of this process for years can tell you exactly who organized these people to migrate—they’re named hunger and violence... It got big fast because the migrants know the barbarity they’ll face while traveling through Mexico.'

"And some Mexicans, I assume, are good people", he added, when the interviewer expressed indignation at Figueroa's implication that Mexico is a barbarous human-rights-abusing shithole.

They know that in a hostile environment, there’s safety in numbers.... The [World Social Forum on Migrations] seeks to do the same on a social level. It’s part of what Figueroa calls 'radical solidarity'—solidarity that goes beyond humanitarian assistance and shares responsibility for ending the vicious cycle of displacement, detention, and deportation and imagining freedom."

Dude would fit perfectly as one of those peripheral, liberation/"compassion"-hustling characters in an updated, North American-centered version of Camp of the Saints.

"But this one quickly grew in size, stoked partly by opposition activists in Honduras, as well as by a Trump administration eager to play to its anti-immigrant base...

Wut? The Trump administration playing to its anti-immigrant base has caused the caravan to grow quickly in size? How does that work? Is this supposed to make sense?

Amadeus 48: I am a big fan of coherent thoughts.

Oh yeah, I forgot. That making sense stuff is a white man thing. Please excuse A-48 and I for the cultural assumptions and attempted cultural imposition.

n.n said...

the Nation feels free to refer to Mexicans as barbarians

Perhaps they are referring to "White Mexicans" and "Jew..." I mean, "White Mexican Privilege."

BUMBLE BEE said...

Hey come on here. Where are your kids gonna get their dope?
There's no going back! Coming from the 50s, I'd say it's over. No country no wall, no USA at all. Had it good. Pissed it away with on theories. Daniel Patrick Moynihan warned of such carelessness.

Gahrie said...

We need 5,000 U.S. citizens to cross into Mexico when they caravan approaches our border, link arms to prevent it from passing, and sing "We Shall Overcome".

Howard said...

I can't wait until Trump carpet bombs them back to their shithole country. It's gonna be awe conspiring entertrainment

Howard said...

Blogger rhhardin said...

Stay home and fight.


How dare you appropriate this mantra from the Native American first peoples

PuertoRicoSpaceport.com said...

I'm going to be in Costa Rica for a couple of weeks soon. Perhaps starting next week if the equipment gets delivered in time.

I've been to Costa Rica before though about 10 years ago now. I've also been to Guatemala a couple times and to various Mexican cities various times. No complaints about any of them but Costa Rica did seem much less shitholey, even way back up in the mountains, than Guatemala and Mexico.

Then there is Honduras, Belize and El Salvador. There isn't enough money in the world to make me go there. I love traveling (industrial tourism) but have had enough adventures in my life.

So I was thinking last night, what is it that makes Costa Rica so different? It is surrounded by countries with some of the highest murder rates in the world (50/100m or so) yet has a fairly low rate itself. The other countries have high poverty rates and CR has a pretty low one. Not a lot of gangs. Not a lot of drug trafficing.

We don't hear much abut Costa Ricans trying to come here illegally. Is this because they don't or because we just don't hear about it?

I'd not really thought about it before and have no idea why this is. I will be pondering it as I spend time there.

John Henry

PuertoRicoSpaceport.com said...

D2,

That is the second time today I've heard about Small Faces since about 1967.

I don't remember if it was you mentioned them before. On the other hand, I remembered the lyrics right off. (I wonder what that says about me?)

So what are you saying, that President Trump wants to take us to Itchykoo Park and get us high?

Count me in.

John Henry

PuertoRicoSpaceport.com said...

Re Guatemala:

Back in 2000 or so my son was still in school and did a medical mission to Guatemala. There were 8-12 of them in a van and as they were driving though one rural village the van was stopped and they were all forced out.

Everyone was very nice, they were treated like guests at a party, fed and entertained.

The village was having problems with water supply or some other government service. The standard practice when not able to get something from the govt was (is?) to stop a van load of foreigners, preferably Americans, and hold them till the govt gives in.

In this case they were stopped for about 8 hours, the govt made promises and they were sent on their way.

He thought it was an interesting experience and I can see why. It still scares the crap out of me. If this kind of thing goes on, it seems like sooner or later the govt is going to say ENOUGH! and send in armed troops. If any tourists get killed in the crossfire, it can be blamed on the villagers.

And don't even get me started about my trip from Guayaquil to Manta in Ecuador. 12 people, plus luggage, in an 8 passenger van for 4 hours with no stops.

traveling in 3rd world countries is always interesting.

John Henry

Mark said...

Social media requires internet access, which requires a computer or smart phone, etc., which requires the person to have money in luxury amounts, i.e. not poor.

Bay Area Guy said...

Send the caravan to East LA - nobody will know the difference.

Mark said...

Anyone remember the UN? Let them handle it

This is a compelling point. If conditions are so bad in these nations that people flee and claim asylum in another country, then it is incumbent upon the international community to actively intervene in those nations. That would include sending in the military to places like Honduras, etc., to restore order and bring an end to the human rights violations.

Maillard Reactionary said...

@Garhrie: I assume you are being ironic. Ma Deuce in Mexican hands will make short work of them. The pit will be covered with fresh earth before the media arrives.


Bruce Hayden said...

Staying by the Tucson airport the last two nights. Last night was full at the airport. Expect tonight will be too. Asked what was going on, and the person at the front desk indicated that they had a bunch of military who were going to work on the border. Tonight it may have been worse. Saw a mixture of camp and black ARMY sweat suits. Which is to say that with the military already showing up here, Trump appears very serious about addressing the problem of that caravan.

The Crack Emcee said...

"[T]he caravan was organized through social media in Honduras"

If you're not watching the FRONTLINE special on Facebook (scroll down) you're really missing out on what's happening now.

The Crack Emcee said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
BJM said...

@John Henry

So I was thinking last night, what is it that makes Costa Rica so different?

Costa Rica has a literacy rate of 96 percent making it the most literate population in Central America and 10% of the population is literate/fluent in English. Quite a few US banks,insurance & tech companies locate their customer service or help desk call centers in Costa Rica. Crime rates are lower too.