Astor Torres

Social movement

Weekly discussion 8

"Deported2death: why did Obama deport 85 Muslim Asylum seekers"

                This news reports looks at how 85 Muslims from Bangladesh, India and Nepal were seeking asylum and instead were deported. These Muslims were seeking asylum after fleeing the conflicts from their countries. Democracy Now spoke with executive director of Desis Rising Up & Moving (DRUM), Fahd Ahmed, to speak about the deported detainees. Ahmed uses media as his resource mobilization and his knowledge of Movements to shine light upon this issue. On one of the clips, a deportee is shown talking about the mistreatment he endured, Ahmed noticed a knot above deportee's eye that showed he was beaten. Often times theses detainees don't get the proper representation they deserve and is why Ahmed organized a protest outside of Hillary Clinton's offices. The purpose of the protest was to make the political candidates aware of the issue and to see how they would address that issue if one is to become president. No further updates on this protest are noted, but I will leave you with a quote from Ahmed. "Donald Trump's dreams are now Obama's reality" said Ahmed. http://www.democracynow.org/2016/4/8/deported2death_why_did_obama_deport_85

"U.S. deports 85 south Asian asylum seekers"

                I found another report on the 85 deported Muslim asylum seekers that show resource mobilization does bring about some change on an issue or at least awareness. In this report, Democracy Now discusses how Bernie Sanders addressed the consequences of deporting these asylum seekers. It starts off by quoting of the detainees who said that police from his country had visited his family to tell threatened them and him. "Deportation can be a death sentence to detained minors, parents and asylum seekers." Said Bernie Sanders. Bernie sanders is a candidate who has a lot of followers, and uses his resources as a candidate (media) to shine light on issues like this. It doesn't mention in the news report whether or not Ahmed's actions influenced Sander's response or not. Media tried to use his address on the issue in a negative way which was actually good because it meant opposing and favoring viewers saw him. http://www.democracynow.org/2016/4/6/headlines/us_deports_85_south_asian_asylum_seekers