DNC Member Starts Crying Talking About Alligator Alcatraz

Cuba: “I urge you to pass this resolution.”

BEJERANO: “Thank you, Mr. Cuba. The Chair will now entertain a motion to recommend this resolution for approval by the DNC. Is there a second? Is there any discussion? Yes, delegate?”

HERRERA: “Millie Herrera from Florida. I’d like to offer an amendment to Resolution 16, on the 5th — after the 5th whereas — whereas — that, by the way, this language has been sent to Party affairs. Whereas, a federal District Court recently issued a preliminary injunction ordering the shutdown of Alligator Alcatraz, finding the facility awful and in violation of federal law. Yet, the state of Florida has appealed the ruling and is moving forward with plans to expand this model, including a new site in north Florida intended to detain 2,000 more people under the same discredited legal theory of state-run immigration detention. And — I’d also like to make comments about this. I refuse to call it Alligator Alcatraz. I think that it is insulting and disgusting and inhumane what they’re doing to us immigrants all over the country. This is a concentration camp. There have been several reports of people that are legal residents, even citizens that have been detained without access to due process, their attorneys cannot visit them. There are 30 men to a cage with only three toilets. Drinking water comes out of the top of the toilet. They’re not allowed to bathe. It is the most — the most incredible and cruel situation in a country where a lot of us, many of us, even from the first immigrants that came into this country from the — England, we’re all immigrants except for the natives. And I think that we need to call out this injustice and this persecution of people that the only reason that we’re here is to improve our country and to make sure that we contribute and our children and ourselves have a good life. So, this is — this is just unbelievable, unbelievable to a lot of us that have experienced persecution in other countries, that have fled to the United States thinking that we were protected here by our Constitution. So, we are all together in this. And I, you know, really appreciate all the support — and I’m getting emotional, I’m sorry — all the support that immigrants are receiving from our party, because the Democratic Party is the party of immigrants, the party of working class, the party of women, the party of LGBTQ, disabled, everybody. (applause) So, I thank you, and please, you know, offer this amendment.”

BEJERANO: “Thank you. An amendment has been proposed. Is there a second? It has been moved and seconded to amend the resolution. Is there any discussion? Debate must be limited to the amendment.”

SANTIAGO: “Samuel Vilchez Santiago from Florida. I grew up in Venezuela.”