Ten or 12 people protested on PCH against immigrants last week, part of a series of demonstrations across the country. Identical Tea Party mailings went out in cities across the nation, urging these protests. (I’m on several lists in several states, and the wordings are identical.)
When I was a boy, I learned of the ship St. Louis, which carried a manifest of Jews from Nazi Germany to Cuba in 1939. Both Cuba and the United States refused the Jews refugees status. “They are diseased;” “they don’t have visas;” “they should apply and wait in line.” Those were the calls in Congress, in newspapers and on radio from certain quarters.
The ship was turned back across the Atlantic. The passengers went to concentration camps. Mindful of my German and American heritage, I never forgot this sad and sordid piece of history. And I always wondered, what would I have done in 1939? Stood silent, rather than risk the anger of those shouting about immigrants? Raised my voice in support?
Now, we see little kids—babies, mothers, boys and girls—fleeing for their lives. They are crossing our border and turning themselves in to the first federal officer they see.
Are we going to stand on the docks and deny them safety? Are we going to let the loud Tea Party minority repeat 1939?
Hans Laetz