On this Thursday, June 18, episode of Sundial:
Supreme Court Saves DACA
An estimated 650,000 people living in the United States will not face the immediate threat of deportation. In a 5-4 vote Thursday morning, the U.S. Supreme Court found the Trump administration’s case to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program wasn’t strong enough.
Chief Justice John Roberts issued the deciding fifth vote, in what came as a surprise to legal experts and immigrant advocacy groups following this case closely.
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“I think there’s going to be sort of a blanket feeling that this kind of program, that most Americans consider a humane program, in the immigration sphere was the correct thing to do and maybe immigration reform is the right thing to do,” said WLRN’s Americas editor Tim Padgett. “I think in the long run this could open the door wider for more comprehensive immigration reform in this country that is so desperately needed.”
We spoke with Padgett, WLRN reporter Danny Rivero and heard from DACA recipients on the court’s decision against the Trump administration in their efforts to end the program.
Hurricane Preparedness During A Pandemic
Hurricane season continues to creep up on us earlier and earlier. For the sixth year in a row, there was a named storm before the season’s official start and there’s now a request from Orlando Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy to officially extend the season.
Needless to say, if you haven’t set up a plan for your family and bought your supplies, now’s the time to do so. Those plans may be different because of COVID-19.
“We have had to add a whole other angle to how we plan and think about how we shelter during a pandemic,” said Monroe County’s director of emergency management, Shannon Davis Weiner. “You’ll see things like health screenings and temperature checks when you come to check in. Each individual will receive their own set of wipes or hand sanitizers. We encourage you to bring a face mask and you’ll be required to wear a face mask. But we will provide you with one if you need one. And moving on to increased space per person.”
We spoke with Davis about evacuation for a hurricane in the middle of a pandemic
“When Liberty Burns” and Juneteenth
Juneteenth commemorates the day emancipation reached enslaved people in the deepest parts of the South — when a Union general went into Galveston, Texas, and announced they were now free.
That was on June 19, 1865. More than two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.
It became an official state holiday in Texas in 1980. At that same time, the McDuffie Rebellion was happening here in Miami, which exploded after the murder of Arthur McDuffie, a black man, at the hands of four white police officers.
“They called it the ‘McDuffie riots’ and Mr. McDuffie has nothing to do with that. It was brought on because the officers were found not guilty,” said Femi Folami Browne, who worked on the documentary “When Liberty Burns,” which tells McDuffie’s story and focuses on Miami’s history of racism and police brutality.
“Here in Miami, I did not learn about Juneteenth until perhaps a decade ago, much like the slaves didn’t find out they were freed until two and a half years later. This again points to how our history was muddled,” she said.
We spoke with Browne about filming the documentary and Juneteenth. The Miami Film Festival is screening the documentary online on Friday in commemoration of Juneteenth.
A portion of the money from ticket sales will be given to the Historic Hampton House Community Trust.
