If you’re reading this, I’m still in police custody after being arrested last night at @SenSchumer office demanding he prove claim to support Dreamers by organizing his caucus to block any spending deal w/out a clean #DreamAct. Will remain until he does. #OurDream #NoDreamNoDeal pic.twitter.com/BXkkXw6haI — Erika Andiola – #OurDream (@ErikaAndiola) December 16, 2017

The deadline for the U.S. federal government to pass spending legislation in order to avoid a shutdown is December 22nd. Among other things up for debate is the question of whether any spending bill should be passed without a clean DREAM Act. In order to stress the importance of this, seven “Dreamers” are on a hunger strike.

Former Bernie Sanders press secretary (and DACA recipient) Erika Andiola and six other Dreamers are currently in police custody after having been arrested on Friday during sit-ins outside the offices of Democrats Senator Chuck Schumer and Representative Carlos Curbelo with the hopes that they “publicly confirm they have the votes to block any spending bill without a Clean DREAM Act.” As of this writing, they are still in custody and have refused to give names or fingerprints so that they can remain in jail.

The “Dream 7” were arrested for “overstaying business hours,” which classified their action as “unlawful entry” despite having the legal right to protest.

The Slot reports that Andiola “immigrated to Arizona at the age of 11, when her mother brought four of her siblings from Mexico to escape poverty and domestic violence. While Andiola was in college, the family home was raided, her mother lost her job, and at one point her mother and brother were arrested by ICE agents and nearly deported.” You might remember her heartbreaking account of her mother and brother being taken on YouTube.

The Slot also reports that they have received a statement from Representative Cubelo’s office saying:

“The Congressman is committed to finding a bipartisan solution for the DACA population. He’s pledged to withhold his support for any spending past Dec. 31 until action is taken on a solution. These young immigrants are contributing to our economy and society all across the country in local communities, like South Florida. They’ve lived in fear for far too long and it is past-time leadership in both Chambers allow a solution to come to the floor.”

Which leaves Senator Schumer.

An interesting discussion on Twitter as to the effectiveness of protesting Democratic Senators and Representatives as opposed to, say, Republicans in “blue states” caught my eye:

They need 60 votes to pass spending bill which requires Dem votes. All Dems need to do is hold strong. Much easier to convince people that supposably support us. #DreamActNow — California Dreamers (@DreamersofCA) December 16, 2017

Don’t u think protesting some repubs to join Dems will get them further away from the 60 votes? Some repubs are in blue states & can be pressured. Elections have consequences. We could have been moving from protecting dreamers to legalizing their status. — Jean O’tunde (@NanaaBaah) December 17, 2017

@SenSchumer is the leader of the democrats so their strategy makes sense. More likely to convince dems than republicans. — #NoCorporateMedia 🌹 (@DinahBernista) December 17, 2017

That’s how we got here, fight amongst ourselves so our opponents keep winning. If Schumer was majority leader then I’ll understand. All dems can vote against it & he can still get his way by just killing the filibuster. — Jean O’tunde (@NanaaBaah) December 17, 2017

Schumer has said he supports a clean dream act and has the caucus to make it happen. Holding him 2his word is not fighting amongst ourselves — #NoCorporateMedia 🌹 (@DinahBernista) December 17, 2017

Which is 48 senators. If u don’t win a few repubs over to get at least 51 votes, they still get their way if they want it bad enough. — Jean O’tunde (@NanaaBaah) December 17, 2017

They need 60 votes of the filibuster so they would need dems to cross over. Schumer can make that filibuster happen. — #NoCorporateMedia 🌹 (@DinahBernista) December 17, 2017

As you can see in this video showing the sit-in, and the subsequent arrests, these Dreamers are experienced activists. Many of them have been engaging in protest actions around the issue of immigration for years. If this is the strategy they’re choosing to employ, they have my full support:

A commenter over at The Slot, who also happens to be the daughter of two formerly undocumented people, gives a great breakdown of the issues at play. Those of you who are confused about what DACA is/means would do well to check it out HERE.

Meanwhile, I hope that Senator Schumer’s office makes a statement soon to stand by DACA recipients and end this strike, and I hope that our elected Democratic officials stand strong against any legislation that doesn’t allow for a clean DREAM Act.

(image: screencap)

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