Day 113 of the vigil and protest at the Homestead Children’s Detention Center could not have started better. An article by Monique Madan on page one above the fold in the Miami Herald. It is about the motion and supporting documents filed on Friday by the attorneys for our children, for an order by the FLORES federal court to enforce the consent agreement. The article graphically describes the terrible conditions at the Homestead Facility and the serious effects of the Detention on the children, emotionally and physically. The motion requests that the 20 day provision in the FLORES settlement be followed, as well as the provision that the children be in a non-secure licensed facility. This is what we have been protesting for! A reporter from Univision came and interviewed Debbie Wehking and I about our reaction to the motion filed by the attorneys representing the children in the FLORES case. A photographer took pictures of several of us on stepladders, holding up big red hearts made by Alessandra, across from the children, as well as pictures of the children, some of whom responding to us. An officer from the Department of Homeland Security parked his car right across the street from us while we were with the reporter. He merely introduced himself and nothing happened. He said that he would continue to be around. The reporter said that she would return tomorrow. We had both local and out of State witnesses. We braved a heavy South Florida rainstorm in good order. Following the storm, the temperature dropped, and it was actually pleasant. We were all in a great mood today as a result of the FLORES court filing, the great article in the Miami Herald, and the visit by the reporter. My opinion? The court filing validates and gives credence to what we have been demanding:

Enforce the FLORES agreement, promptly unite the children with their relatives and sponsors, children should be in a non-secure licensed facility, and SHUT HOMESTEAD DOWN.

Come on down if you can. Pray for the children.