Local woman uses savings to set example, challenges others in US migrant furor

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The Trump administration’s treatment of migrant families detained at America’s southern border has sparked international outrage and a local woman says it is time for Canadians to take action.

Claudia — who doesn’t want her last name used — is using her own savings to try spur thousands of dollars in donations to agencies helping children and families who have been separated when detained by US immigration officials.

On top of the $2,500 she’s already spent, Claudia has challenged her family and friends to follow suit, offering to match their donations dollar for dollar up to another $5,000.

“At a certain point, you look at what’s happening and you say, ‘I can not be an observer anymore.’ Even though many of us are feeling shock and horror and anger, it’s not enough to just feel it. It’s time to do something,” she tells NEWS 1130, explaining why she has made a call to action through her social networks.

 

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After feeling compelled to act, Claudia is inviting anyone else who feels moved by what is happening along the U.S.-Mexican border to help in their own way.

“Find a way to get $20 or $50 or the money you would have spent for coffee in the next week to people who need it right now,” she says.

“These babies are being shown at such an early age how ugly and wrong the world is that they can be separated from their parents who love them so much and are trying to get them into a better situation. They are being punished for it and have no idea when or if they will ever be able to see their families. We’re talking about children who know who mommy and daddy are but aren’t verbal enough to know their first or last names. They just know their people are not around them any more.”

She calls the situation horrifying.

“There comes a time in history where you have to say, ‘What did I do when I knew something horrifically wrong was happening?’ I get that everyone is on a budget and it’s not a simple thing to donate money. But if you can, if you have a way to donate something, please find some way to help,” she says.

“If you have a little bit more than the average person, talk to your friends, your family and your network and say not only that you encourage them to donate but that you will match what you do so that you are doubling the power of the change that you can create.”

– With files from Amanda Wawryk

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