150 SW 13th Avenue, Miami, FL  33135
Phone  (786) 264-1708; Fax  (786) 264-1859
Fast for Our Families
Contact Our
Leaders Today-
Speak Out for
Justice!

Secretary
Janet Napolitano,
Department of
Homeland Security
Tel: 866-587-3023
(para Espanol:
866-974-8813)


President Barack
Obama
Tel: 202-456-1111
Contact Your US
Senator

Contact Your US
Representative
He has showed you, O man, what is good.  And what does
the LORD require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 (NIV)
Fast for Our Families Vigil - January 17, 2010
SFIWJ Board Member Jack Lieberman speaks about
continuing the struggle for justice for immigrants by
petitioning our member of Congress
Read the blog.
They Never Tell You About the Bees  - 3 Fasters Go To Hospital

The doctor came today. Sebastien, the sixth faster who joined on Day 4,
may have diabetes. He’ll be leaving the fast after 9 days.  He’s quietly
talking with Ana right now. He says that he doesn’t want to leave the fast.
He must. He can stay in solidarity but this is serious.

Ana’s sugar is low. We’re waiting to see what the doctor says. She’s sitting
in a bright yellow FIU sweatshirt and trying to comfort Sebastien,
explaining to him how he’ll need to change his diet in the future.

Jenny looks the worst that I’ve seen her with circles under her eyes and no
vibrancy at all. Jenny is usually so “vivo” but what else could we expect on
Day 14 of a fast? Her son, Jacinto, turned 13 yesterday. His 15-year-old
sister, Stephanie, made him a cake. I can’t help but wonder, if Jenny is sent
back to Honduras, how many other birthday cakes will she miss with her
children?

The doctor is here. Three fasters are going to the hospital. Francisco may
have had a heart attack – the after symptoms point that way. He needs
tests. He quietly asked me if he could come back to the fast after they do
the tests. “I won’t let them give me food and I can come back, right?” It
broke my heart.

Jonathan says he feels fine but the doctor insists that he go to the hospital
as well. He has shortness of breath and an issue with his electrolytes that
could point to something more serious. He’s determined to come back.
The doctor is recommending that Jenny and Ana go to the hospital as well.
Jenny’s pulse and blood pressure are very low. Ana’s sugar is dangerously
low. They pressure the doctor. “It’s my baby. It’s my life. You have to
understand,” Jenny is declaring. I have tears in my eyes. The fast could
cost her life and leaving her children could cost her life. How does one
even begin to fathom that choice? How does it even come to that?

Ana is sitting quietly in the corner, swatting away a bee with one hand. The
bees started to come about a week ago. Apparently they are attracted to
the fruit smell that the fasters give off. The bees really bother Ana. She was
swarmed by bees in the desert on her way back to her children.
We just said good bye to Francisco, Sebastien, and Jonathan. Ana, Jenny,
and Wilfredo are still here. Please don’t forget them. Call Janet Napolitano
(866-587-3023). Now is the time for her to come to Miami. Our
community is in pain. Haitians can’t locate their families. People are fasting
in tents to stay with their families. Now is the time to speak out – speak out
for the families in our community. They need you. We need you.

Jeanette
South Florida Interfaith Worker Justice
305-598-1404
www.fastforfamilies.org