LOCAL, NATIONAL REACTIONS TO TRUMP’S REPEAL OF DACA
By Miriam Raftery September 6, 2017 (San Diego) — After the Trump administration announced repeal of DACA, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, thousands of people have taken to the streets in cities across the nation to rally in support of protecting the dreamers, young people brought to the U.S. as children by undocumented parents. Those young people now face deportation under President Trump’s executive order, unless Congress takes action within six months to protect them. The rallies included an event in San Diego that drew a large crowd. San Diegans are also speaking out on social media and in letters to the President. Activist Martha Sullivan denounced, the President’s threat against 800,000 young people for whom America is home, including 68,000 living in hurricane-ravaged Houston, stating “This is not only the essence of bullying, it is sadism.” San Diego State University’s student body president and other officers have sent a letter to President Trump urging him to retain the DACA program. The letter notes that SDSU is one of the most diverse universities in our nation, adding, “This diversity is critical to preparing our students to work in San Diego’s binational economy and a global workforce. Our students, regardless of their immigration status, are valued members of our educational community.” San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, a Republican, issued a statement calling on Congress to protect the dreamers. “We are not going to fix our immigration problems on the backs of innocent children,” the Mayor states, adding, “The young men and women here under DACA, many who are living in the only country they have ever known, are students, innovators, business owners, and veterans who enrich our country and contribute to our economy and our culture.” In Hollywood, some celebrities are also speaking up for Dreamers, including Cher, who is of Mexican-American descent. Raised in poverty in the Imperial Valley, Cher went on to become a singing and acting superstar. Now she has tweeted that she is willing to open her own home to shelter young people facing deportation. Similarly, Apple’s CEO Tim Cook has said that his company employs 250 dreamers, adding that “Apple will fight for them to be tweeted as equals.” The Trump administration has contended that the DACA program, created by President Barack Obama by executive order, was executive overreach. Numerous states have sued, demanding that Trump overturn it. Republican Steve King, an Iowa Congress who supports DACA repeal, has stated, “The president does not have the authority to waive immigration law, nor does he have the authority to create it out of thin air.” Trump promised his right-wing base on the campaign trail to repeal DACA, but later told a group of young dreamers that he would show compassion toward them – a statement that seems at odds with his executive actions this week. President Obama has weighed in on that action, which he says was not required legally. “It’s a political decision, and a moral question,” the former President says. “Whatever concerns or complaints Americans may have about immigration in general, we shouldn’t threaten the future of this group of young people who are here through no fault of their own, who pose no threat, who are not taking away anything from the rest of us.” President Trump himself seemed to waffle again on the issue just one day after issuing his controversial executive order, tweeting, “”Congress now has 6 months to legalize DACA–something the Obama Administration was unable to do. If they can’t, I will revisit this issue!” he claimed. Some analysts expect Republicans in Congress to use restoration of DACA protections as a wedge issue to leverage support from Democrats for other Republican priorities, such as tax reforms or funding the border wall. Other analysts suggest taking a hard line on deporting dreamers could cost the GOP key seats in California and perhaps other places with heavy Latino populations, potentially jeopardizing ultra-conservatives control of Congress.
TRUMP ENDS DACA, CONGRESS HAS SIX MONTHS TO SAVE DREAMERS FROM DEPORTATION
By Miriam Raftery Photo by Joan Creighton Little, via Facebook Updated Sept. 10 to include comments from Rep. Duncan Hunter and candidate Josh Butner. September 6, 2017 (San Diego) — President Donald Trump’s Attorney General, Jeff Sessions, has announced he will end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program that shields young people brought to the U.S. as children from deportation. But he gave Congress six months to pass legislation to change that, leaving an estimated 800,000 “dreamers” in limbo, fearful of being sent back to homelands that some don’t even remember, places where dangers caused many of their families to flee and seek safety in the U.S. These young people are innocent of crimes and are productive members of American society. They are not criminals. Nobody eligible for DACA can have a criminal record of any felony or misdemeanor, nor pose any security threat to the U.S. The Washington Post has reported that 97 percent of the “dreamers” protected by DACA are either working or students in school. At least 72 percent of the top 25 Fortune 500 companies have employees who are DACA recipients, according to a letter signed by the companies and sent to President Trump asking that DACA not be repealed. Around a thousand DACA recipients are also currently serving in the U.S. military, McClatchy News Service reports. Many of those play critical roles in the military as translators since they speak a variety of languages needed, but now face deportation. Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly has reportedly opposed rescinding DACA. California has more DACA recipients than any other state—around 200,000 young people, or 1 in 4 of al DACA recipients. There are also an estimated 68,000 dreamers in Houston, still reeling from the hurricane and flood loss tragedies, and now fearing they could be forced to leave the U.S. That includes heroes like Jesus Contreras, a 23-year-old paramedic who rescued many flood victims in Houston after Hurricane Harvey. He says, “We’re as American as we can be,” NBC reports. Another heroic DACA recipient lost his life attempting to save others in Houston’s floods, People Magazine reported. DACA was an executive order issued by President Barack Obama after Congress failed to pass any comprehensive immigration reform. Trump’s order repeals DACA and also immediately halts any new admissions to the program, while Congress must again determine whether or not to protect these vulnerable young people. The Dream Act has failed every time it was introduced in Congress previously, due to obstruction by Republicans who now control both the House and Senate. However there are some signs that could change. Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan, in a radio interview just before the Trump administration revoked DACA, stated, “I don’t think he should do that. I believe that this is something that Congress has to fix.” Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah, one of Trump’s staunchest supporters, also voiced support for keeping the DACA program earlier this month, according to NBC. Democrats, meanwhile, remain united in both houses in favor of protecting dreamers and restoring DACA. Locally, all three Democratic Congressional members have been outspoken in support of DACA. San Diego Congresswoman Susan Davis calls it a “rousing success,” noting that Dreamers are earning an average of $17 an hour and nearly half are in school. “Over the next decade, dreamers are expected to contribute half a trillion in economic activity,” Davis notes, adding, “The dreamers are contributing to America in a positive way and they should be allowed to keep contributing.” Congressman Darrell Issa, a Republican from San Diego, seemed to support Trump’s action, calling Obama’s unilateral creation of DACA unlawful. But he noted that the onus is now on Congress to address the challenge for the long-haul, “with respect for our nation’s laws, a desire to enhance the integrity of our borders, and a sense of compassion to those who were brought here in their childhood years ago and wish to stay as productive members of our communities.” Republican Congressman Duncan Hunter has previously voiced support for ending the DACA program. Following Trump’s announcement to repeal DACA, Hunter stated, “”President Trump is aiming to keep families together and uphold his commitment to address the immigration issue in a way that’s consistent with his promises,” a disengenuous answer since Trump’s action tears immigrant families apart, and does not keep them together unless Congress acts. Hunter;s Democratic opponent Ammar Campa Najjar, is speaking out. “Shame on you, Donald Trump, for breaking your promise to these dreamers. You met with DACA recipients and you assured them that you were `going to deal with DACA with heart,’” Campa Najjar recalls. “Let’s restore that promise and call on Congress to pass the DREAM Act and permanent protect these young people and allow them a chance at the American Dream.” Josh Butner, a Navy Seal also running against Hunter, spoke out in favor of protecting DACA recipients. “We are a nation of immigrants, and stronger for it. When I was a new SEAL medic, one of our most respected senior SEAL medics was an immigrant from Central America — who became a citizen after multiple tours of duty, proudly serving our country. The lack of leadership on DACA is outrageous. It is time for Congress to come forward and right this wrong, head on”. Across the nation, thousands have taken to the streets to rally in support of protecting the dreamers, including a rally in San Diego that drew a large crowd. Activist Martha Sullivan denounced, the President’s threat against 800,000 young people for whom America is home, including 68,000 in hurricane-ravaged Houston, stating “This is not only the essence of bullying, it is sadism.” San Diego State University’s student body president and other officers have sent a letter to President Trump urging him to retain the DACA program. The letter notes that SDSU is one of the most diverse universities in our nation, adding, “This diversity is critical to preparing our students to work in San Diego’s binational
HURRICANE IRMA, STRONGEST EVER RECORDED, SLAMS INTO VIRGIN ISLANDS AND HEADS TO U.S. MAINLAND
East County News Service September 6, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – On the heels of Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma is now wreaking havoc in the Caribbean and is heading toward the U.S. mainland. Irma is the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic, with wind speeds of 185 miles per hour. It slammed into the U.S. Virgin Islands as a category 5 hurricane, and is also soon expected to ravage Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory and other Caribbean islands. The devastating storm is on track to slam into Florida this weekend as a still strong category 4 hurricane. Authorities have urged Florida residents to evacuate, emphasizing that Irma is one of the most damaging storms ever to strike U.S. soil. The storm could still shift to cause serious damage farther north along the Eastern seaboard or head into the already ravaged Gulf of Mexico, potentially targeting Gulf States yet again. Climate change is causing ocean waters to warm to the hottest levels on record, fueling these extreme storms. Across the world, India, Pakistan, and Africa have all had devastating flooding in August and September, while in California and across the west, the worst wildfire season on record is taking a devastating toll on cherished landmarks such as Yosemite National Park and the Columbia Gorge River Valley, as well as urban centers such as Los Angeles. The Trump administration’s denial of climate change and appointment of climate change deniers to head up the Environmental Protection Agency and NASA, which including the National Weather Service, assures that no actions are likely to be taken to slow or halt climate change. That means the U.S. policy will be limited to battling wildfires and cleaning up after disasters such as Hurricanes Harvey and Irma rob thousands, or even millions of their homes while failing to take any actions to prevent such catastrophic events from occurring in the future. That’s akin to aiding crime victims, while turning a blind eye to crime prevention.
DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS AND EVENTS SEPT. 9-OCT. 22
By Miriam Raftery September 5, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) — This week’s Destination East County includes a concert by the Kelly Rae Band in downtown El Cajon, the Sycuan Pow-wow, the first-ever Ramona Grape Stomp, an art show and reception with famed artist Jack Jordan, and a Twilight Tasting at Mission Trails. Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including the Alley Cat Art Walk, Julian Music Festival, a Latino Film Festival at Grossmont College, Lakeside River Park’s Once in a Blue Moon, the Lemon Grove Lion’s Club Salsa Fiesta, an International Day of Peace in La Mesa, Kidz Danz Kompany’s new show “Bamboozled,” Oktoberfests in La Mesa and El Cajon, the Laguna Mountain Rendezvous, Kids Care Fest in Lakeside and the Borrego Days desert festival. So scroll down for all of these events and many more! THIS WEEK SYCUAN POW-WOW SEPT. 8-10 The Sycuan band of the Kumeyaay Nation will host its 28th annual Powwow on September 8th, 9th and 10th at the Sycuan reservation’s powwow grounds, next to the Sycuan Casino (5459 Sycuan Road, El Cajon). This three-day tribal gathering attracts participants from across the nation and is open to the public. Sycuan’s powwow features traditional Native American dances, hand-drum contests, bird singing and dancing competitions, peon games, authentic Indian cuisine and more. You can find scheduling details at the Sycuan Powwow Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Sycuans-Annual-Pow-Wow-358010080969157/). EL CAJON CONCERTS SEPT. 8-29 El Cajon’s dinner and a concert series continues each Friday night through September at Promenade Park. You’re invited to bring a picnic dinner, or arrive early and dine at one of downtown El Cajon’s restaurants before enjoy outdoor concerts from 6 to 8 p.m. Upcoming artists include the Kelly Rae Band on September 8, Siren’s Crush on September 15th, the Petty Breakers on September 22nd, and on September 29th, the season finale with the Mighty Untouchables. For full details, visit www.DowntownElCajon.com. RAMONA GRAPE STOMP SEPT. 9 The first annual Ramona Grape Stomp is set for September 9th from 12 noon to 5 p.m. at the Ramona Outdoor Community Center pavilion at 421 Aqua Lane in Ramona. To celebrate the harvest of grapes throughout the Ramona Valley, this fun family event will offer attendees the opportunity to squish grapes between their toes in grape-stomping challenges, with prizes awarded to the best stompers. Attendees can also taste award-winning wine from local wineries and check out food, arts and crafts, and children events. The Ramona Grape Stomp is being presented by the Ramona Rotary Club, the Ramona Senior Center, and the Ramona Valley Vineyard Association. Proceeds will benefit education and support services provided by these organizations, such as a senior nutrition program, college scholarships, Fourth of July fireworks, the Ramona Boys & Girls Clubs and education on this fast-growing wine region. You can get tickets at ramonagrapestomp.com. JACK JORDAN ART SHOW OPENS SEPT. 9 WITH ARTIST’S RECEPTION Works by Jack Jordan, a distinguished El Cajon artist, art teacher at Grossmont College and former art director of the Evening Tribune, will be displayed at the Olaf Wieghorst Museum in El Cajon from September 9th through the 28th, with a reception on September 9th from 5:30 to 7 p.m. This is a benefit event to honor Jordan and raise funds for the aging artist’s medical expenses. Jack Jordan’s works have been featured in national magazines such as Southwest Arts and Arts West; he was also chosen for inclusion in the book Contemporary Western Artists. RAMONA GRAPE STOMP SEPT. 9 Many aspiring artists will recall learning to paint with help from How to Paint the Old West, written and illustrated by Jack Jordan and published by Walter Foster. Jordan also illustrated Brand Book Seven and Pathways to Freedom. His works have been shown in many galleries in the United States and Mexico. His life-like portraits have included famous historical figures, from Native American chiefs to frontiersmen and military heroes. His landscapes and seascapes bring to life scenes from nature in the American west. For more information on the Jack Jordan art show and reception, you can visit http://wieghorstmuseum.org/. TWILIGHT TASTING AT THE TRAILS SEPT. 9 Kiwanis clubs in East County are combining their efforts to raise funds for their youth scholarships and community sponsorships by presenting “Twilight Tasting at the Trails” from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, September 9. The event, which will feature craft beers and wines from local breweries and wineries as well as a variety of tasty foods from local restaurants, will be in the Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center. An opportunity drawing will also be held. For tickets, you can call Kiwanis at (619) 212-9132. NOW FOR A PREVIEW OF COMING ATTRACTIONS ALLEY CAT ART WALK SEPT 15 IN EL CAJON You’re invited to the Alley Cat Art Walk on September 15th from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Guests can enjoy an evening of art while visiting local galleries, also savoring food and drinks, plus and live bluegrass and jazz music in the alley between Rea Avenue and East Main Street in downtown El Cajon. Arts and crafts vendors will have displays and products for sale, and guests can win prizes. Proceeds benefit St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, which assists developmentally disabled adults. For more information, you can visit www.stmsc.org. JULIAN MUSIC FESTIVAL SEPT. 16 The Julian Music Festival celebrates the end of summer on September 16 at the Menghini Winery in Julian from 1 to 7 p.m. The festival features Americana, pop rock, Latin jazz, adult contemporary, folk, Celtic music and more. Tickets are required and are available at https://julianmusicfestival.com/ LATINO FILM FESTIVAL SEPT. 19-OCT. 10 Grossmont College will host a Latino Film Festival each Tuesday night at 7 p.m. from September 19th through October 19th. The films (free) exploring Latino history will be shown in Building 26, Room 220. For details, you can check the calendar at www.EastCountyMagazine.org ONCE IN A BLUE MOON: SEPT. 16 IN LAKESIDE Lakeside’s River Park Conservancy will present its 11th annual Once in a Blue Moon Gala and
WHITE VAN, THREE MEN SOUGHT IN ATTEMPTED KIDNAPPING OF BOYS IN POWAY
East County News Service September 5, 2017 (Poway) – The Sheriff seeks public help to locate three suspects in a white van who reportedly tried to kidnap two boys, ages 9 and 12. According to the boys, the van pulled up next to them as they were walking along Martincoit Road on Thursday, August 21st. A front passenger wearing a black ski mask tried to grab the 12-year-old through an open window and ordered him to “Get in the car.” The boys managed to get away and run to a friend’s house, where they called 911, said Sergeant Robert Roberson. The man in the ski mask was described as possibly a white male, with muscular, hair arms. The vehicle was described as an older model, dirty white van with a dent over the rear passenger tire well. No one was injured and there were no witnesses. Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Poway Station at (858) 513-2800.
STRASBURG, KRAUSE SAN DIEGO STARS OF THE MONTH
Source: San Diego Hall of Champions September 5, 2017 (San Diego) – Two Aztecs, one an alum and one a current student, were named to the San Diego Hall of Champions for August. Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals, West Hills HS Everything was going right for Strasburg against the Florida Marlins as he hurled a complete game 6-hit shutout. He also homered. For the month he compiled a 0.86 ERA allowing just two runs in three games, fanning 23 and walking only three. Haleigh Krause, Golf, SDSU An Aztec senior, Krause led wire-to-wire to capture the Oregon Women’s Stroke Play Championship in Eugene. Krause fired a 3-under par 141 (72-69) at Rose City Golf Club, collecting four birdies on the front nine and six overall on the second of the two-day tournament. In all she amassed nine birdies.
FIELD HOCKEY: CENTURIONS WIN BACK AND FORTH WITH HIGHLANDERS 3-2
Like our sports coverage? Donate to help support ECM’s sports section! Type “Sports” on the donation line! Follow @ECMagSports on Twitter for live sports coverage and stories! Does your son or daughter play a sport at a level other than varsity? Comment on this story or tweet @ECMagSports to request coverage! Story and photos by Liz Alper September 5, 2017 (La Mesa) – Amidst all the high school football, Helix High field hockey is ready to start a new season. Tonight, they faced the Centurions of University City High in La Jolla in their first matchup of the season. Junior forward/midfielder Katie Jones got the Scottie dogs on the board early in the first half with a punch in, but the Centurions tied it at one apiece with 18 minutes left and that’s how the first half ended; all knotted up. Two goals were scored in a matter of seconds in the second half. Helix junior forward Fatima Said reclaimed the lead for the Highlanders with 25 minutes left, but seconds later, Centurions senior Chloe McMann tied it right back up. Junior Lauren Stack gave the Centurions their first lead of the game with seven and a half minutes left. They’d carry that lead to the end to hand the Highlanders their first loss of the season, winning 3-2. The Highlanders are back in action against Hilltop on Thursday night at 6:15 p.m.
ECM PADRES REPORT: MARTINEZ BRINGS PADRES DOWN
Like our sports coverage? Donate to help support ECM’s sports section! Type “Sports” on the donation line! Follow @ECMagSports on Twitter for live sports coverage and stories! Story by Liz Alper Photo: Jose Martinez was a one-man show for the Cardinals tonight; 3-3 with three runs, three RBIs, a double, a walk and two home runs. Via @Cardinals on Twitter September 5, 2017 (San Diego) – Yesterday was Labor Day and Carlos Martinez made the Padres labor, but nothing came of it as they were blanked 2-0. They tried again tonight with Michael Wacha on the mound for the Cards against Travis Wood. All the scoring happened in the first inning. Jose Martinez hit a two-run homer to give the Cards the lead, but in the home half of the first, Wil Myers’ two-RBI single tied the game up at two. None of that mattered when Harrison Bader launched a three-run homer in the second that gave the Cards a 5-2 lead. Travis Wood hit a two-run homer in the second to get the Padres to within one, but both teams were thinking big tonight. It showed when Yadier Molina grounded into a fielder’s choice in the third that scored Paul DeJong and Stephen Piscotty singled to score Martinez to give the Cards a 7-4 lead. Martinez added another homer off of Buddy Baumann in the seventh and the Cardinals took game two 8-4. Game three is tomorrow at 7:10 p.m. again. Jack Flaherty starts for the Cards against Dinelson Lamet. News: Jose Pirela named a San Diego Hall of Champions Star of the Month for August
HUNTER OPPONENTS STAGED “EMPTY CHAIR” TOWN HALL
By Jonathan Goetz Photo, left: Volunteers, photo by Ariele Brooke September 5, 2017 (El Cajon) — Hundreds of people showed up for a rally and empty chair town hall hosted by Indivisible at Cuyamaca Community College, in Congressman Duncan Hunter Jr.’s Congressional District on August 26th The event was organized by Indivisible, a group opposed to Hunter, after the Congressman failed to host a second town hall in his district following a contentious town hall back in March in Ramona where hundreds lined up and could not get into the packed venue. The event at Cuyamaca College began with a rally, followed by a mock trial in the performing arts theater and a series of speakers. Out in the park, organizers shepherded participants into spelling out the word “CENSURE,” meant to urge Hunter to vote for censuring President Donald Trump for remarks many viewed as racist following a deadly white supremacists’ rally in Charlottesville, VA. Photo, right: three candidates: Josh Butner, Pierre “Pete” Beauregard, and Patrick Malloy (photo by Ariele Brooke Hunter is under criminal federal investigation by the FBI and Justice Department for allegedly spending lavish amounts of campaign funds on personal expenses. At a mock trial for Hunter, witnesses were called forward to testify about the use of campaign funds for over $1,500 in cigars, $5,000 at a resort for a family vacation, and nearly $700 to fly his son’s pet rabbit to California. Following the mock trial, a number of speakers took to the stage, including Gloria Chadwick, Tommy Hough, Councilman Colin Parent and Councilwoman Olga Diaz. Gloria Chadwick, a registered nurse on the Grossmont Healthcare District, stated, “Duncan Hunter does not believe that healthcare is a right. He has got to be replaced.” She decried Republican attempts in Congress that would eliminate MediCal coverage for 54,743 people in the 50th Congressional District. Chadwick had been a candidate for Hunter’s seat, but has since withdrawn. Photo, left: Censure, drone photo by Paul Emus Tommy Hough, a radio broadcaster, said that Congressman Hunter “uses the power of government to make life more difficult for his constituents” and dissected Hunter’s voting record. La Mesa City Councilman Colin Parent began with a joke, saying, “There are two types of politicians. I’m the type that believes that Nazi’s are bad,” drawing laughter from the audience. Parent stated that there are three criteria with which to judge people seeking your vote: 1. Competency 2. Decency (whether or not they are corrupt) and 3. Whether or not they agree with you. He said, “the first two should be a threshold, not the reverse.” According to Parent, a person’s competency and decency should be the litmus test, not party affiliation. If someone is incompetent or corrupt, they should not receive one’s vote, regardless of whether or not you have the same political affiliation. Parent stated to applause, “The voters in this district have the option to send a message for our democracy by replacing the most corrupt member of Congress.” Escondido City Councilwoman Olga Diaz lamented, “There is really no standard for getting elected. As long as you have the right party brand, you get elected.” Photo, right: La Mesa Councilman Colin Parent, photo by Norrie Robbins Diaz said that although some people only got upset with the election of Trump, things were bad in her City of Escondido far before Trump was ever elected President. She spoke of her motivation to run for political office, saying “I just knew that what I witnessed on my City Council was wrong, and I wanted to do something about it.” At least four candidates to replace Hunter were in attendance, including Pierre “Pete” Beauregard, Josh Butner, Ammar Campa-Najjar, and Patrick Malloy but were not invited to speak. At least seven candidates have announced intentions to challenge Hunter, including five Democrats and two Republicans. ECM has asked Congressman Hunter’s office for comments, but he has not responded.