We began last week with the troubling news that Nycolas de Al Varenga Lima, 15 years old, and his father, Rogerio da Silva Lima, had been detained by the U.S. Coast Guard and transferred to ICE custody. The two are members of the Vineyard’s Brazilian immigrant community. Nycolas is a student at the M.V. Regional High School. Both are respected and loved. The news brought a swift response from the community. MV LUCE sprang into action and filed a habeas corpus petition that kept them in Massachusetts. They were joined by a coalition of others, including leaders of the Wampanoag, in organizing a rally in Menemsha last Saturday. The rally, attended by more than 150 people, was heart-filled, resolute, peaceful, and hopeful after hearing the heartening news that young Nycolas had been released from ICE custody.
The struggle is not over, however, not by a long shot. Immigration courts have a backlog of 3.3 million cases, according to the American Immigration Lawyers Association. The current federal administration has been shutting down local courts nationwide, and has fired more than 100 veteran judges, replacing them with inexperienced “deportation judges.” People wait for hearings for months. Those in custody are held in warehouses that are overcrowded and unhealthy. And Rogerio da Silva Lima is still in custody, at the mercy of this severely broken immigration system.
People come to this country for many reasons. The vast majority of those who come without papers are good people, desperate for safety and an opportunity to make their lives better. They come here peacefully and work hard, often at difficult jobs that are most often underpaid and unwanted by others. They are not people who are here to do harm.
Our Constitution is meant to protect all who are here. We have something called due process, with laws to be followed, requiring systems created that implement those laws efficiently and humanely. We are not meant to be a country ruled by fear and anger. Here on the Vineyard, we depend on our Coast Guard. Station Menemsha reports that they are aware of the concerns of the community, and that anyone who is out on the water and in trouble will be treated the same. We are grateful that they are here to keep us safe. I am proud of our community for saying “enough.”
Meanwhile, life goes on. On Saturday, May 30, at 1 pm in the Aquinnah Town Hall, join Brad Lopes, education and public program manager of the Aquinnah Cultural Center. He will be reconsidering the familiar narratives regarding the War for the Dawnland, otherwise known as King Philip’s War. Lopes is a welcoming, knowledgeable, and thoughtful teacher, and an entertaining speaker. The program is offered by the Aquinnah Cultural Center. It is free, and all are invited to attend.
The Aquinnah library is offering a beginner-friendly workshop on needle felting. On Saturday, May 30, at 2 pm, come to the library and create your own 8- by 8-inch wool masterpiece, with fiber artist Laura Hearn guiding the way. This program is free, and all teens and adults are welcome. Space is limited, so please email gwilbur@clamsnet.org to register.
This week brings us the birthdays of Susie Bologna and Nonie Madison on May 28 and the wedding anniversary of Noli and Isaac Taylor on June 2. Those birthdays and that anniversary
are profoundly worthy of celebration. Send me your news!