AND THE INGLEWOOD TRIBUNE, CARSON BULLETIN, WILMINGTON BEACON, THE CALIFORNIAN, THE WEEKENDER & EL MONTE BULLETIN WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20, 2018
AN AMERICAN PRINT MEDIA PUBLICATION
WASHINGTON (AP)—The emotional debate over separating immigrant parents and their children at the nation’s southern border is getting some strong comments from first ladies—past and present—who want the practice changed.
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IRST lady Melania Trump “hates” to see families separated at the border and hopes “both sides of the aisle” can reform the nation’s immigration laws, according to a statement from her office Sunday about the controversy. Former first lady Laura Bush called the policy “cruel” and “immoral” and said “it breaks my heart.” For both, it was an unusual entry into a fierce political debate. Mrs. Trump didn’t refer specifically to the Trump administration’s “no tolerance” policy, which was leading to a spike in children being Photo courtesy of U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Rio Grande Valley Sector via AP separated from their families. People who've been taken into custody related to cases of illegal entry into the U.S. sit in one of the cages at a facility in McAllen, Texas. Government statistics indicate
that nearly 2,000 children were separated from their families over a six-week period in April and May. A spokeswoman for the wife of President Donald Trump issued the statement after several days of images of crying children appearing on television and online. “Mrs. Trump hates to see children separated from their families and hopes both sides of the aisle can finally come together to achieve successful immigration reform,” said Stephanie Grisham, a spokeswoman for Mrs. Trump. “She believes n Child Separation, see page 8
First Move Made to Dissolve Agency Tied to Brown Water in Compton COMPTON—The first step to dissolve the Sativa Water Board in Compton has been taken, it was announced Friday. Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn voted to begin proceedings to initiate the dissolution of the small district, which serves 1,600 customers in Compton and Willowbrook and recently had brown water running through its taps, according to a statement from the Supervisor's office. "People have a right to clean, safe water," said Hahn. Dissolving the Sativa Water District is the first step to ensuring these residents get the clean, drinkable water that they deserve. Customers reported the brown water in April and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health conducted testing and
Residents form line to ask questions at Monday evening Town Hall.
determined the brown water did not pose health risks but did contain high levels of manganese, the supervisor's office said. The brown water has
prevented many customers from drinking, cooking, or bathing and forced many to switch to using costly bottled water. A report from the
Local Agency Formation Commission found the Sativa Water Board suffers from continuing operational issues, including a lack of adequate water sources and
storage capacity, aging water mains, along with inadequate operational and management resources. Supervisor Hahn also called for an amendment for staff to
explore a ratepayer subsidy to help relieve the cost burden of needed repairs and upgrades to the system. Her amendment passed unanimously.
Traditions, Culture of Michoacán Alive in the Streets of Compton Story and Pictures by Melina Cervantes, Special to The Bulletin A crowd gathers together on a quiet local street in Compton. It is an otherwise normal Wednesday afternoon and so the timing is curious, causing neighbors to wonder, what could be going on? And then there appears the figure of San Antonio, carried by local men accompanied by the instruments of a Mexican Banda. A procession of dancers who call themselves, Danza Herencia Purepecha and a band playing Mexican Banda soon flood into the street. Dancers in colorful attire and the sounds of a passionate band attracts the curious eyes of the community. Neighbors quickly gather to watch the pageantry. It is June 13th, the day of San Antonio de Padua. A figure of the exalted saint leads the procession while dancers are performing “La Danza de los Viejitos” a traditional dance from Michoacán, Mexico. Participants reach a home nearby where a rosary takes place and the festivities continue with music and traditional dances. The community effort is evident in the contributions that have been made by all of the guests. Pozole is passed around after the rosary has ended. Mass amounts of Mexican candy are distributed for the children. Everyone is welcomed and greeted with food.The dancers perform again,
is our town’s patrón”. She, along with many of the participants is from Charapan, Michoacan. Ana explains that they do this every year but the festivities are hosted by a different family each time. It is in honor of San Antonio. It has been nine days of prayer, a novena. On Sunday, at eight in the morning the band is playing again. “Danza de los Moros” is now being performed and the procession continues to Ana’s home one last time. When the front of the house is reached, señoras are seen dancing holding baskets of bread on their heads as they make their way into the house. Everyone is being offered bread, the hot chocolate is passed around along with other Mexican desserts.
the band is playing Mexican Banda of the adults throwing prizes ran out into the crowd. It appears that in music and the sounds of the “viejitos” of items, prompting someone else, excess of sixty people participate, but is incorporated into the still there is food and dance performance. prizes for everyone. Pozole is passed around after the rosary “This is Mexico” “Throw some over here” Cari Castillo, Compton a man instructs one has ended. Mass amounts of Mexican resident said as the of the prize throwers, candy are distributed for the children. band played banda making sure everyone and children waited, gets something. excited to catch the toys “These are the that were being tossed in the air for standing by with another full basket traditions from our town” Ana, the everyone to catch. The generosity of to join in. “Señoras” walk away with woman who is hosting the festivities the community is seen each time one cleaning supplies that are also tossed at her home explains. “San Antonio
There will be a mass later and more food. Women are seen setting up the grill, heating flour tortillas. Whether distributing or contributing food, playing an instrument or dancing with dedication, everyone is helping and there is an abundance of the culture, that has transcended from Charapan, Michoacán. n For more photos, see page 2