1 00:00:09,400 --> 00:00:11,259 The person was detained last week by 2 00:00:11,260 --> 00:00:12,579 federal immigration and customs 3 00:00:12,580 --> 00:00:14,779 enforcement officers in Kyle. 4 00:00:14,780 --> 00:00:16,279 The man had to be transported to the 5 00:00:16,280 --> 00:00:18,039 hospital, according to local police, 6 00:00:18,040 --> 00:00:19,819 and the KUT newsroom is working to 7 00:00:19,820 --> 00:00:21,919 get more details on the story. 8 00:00:21,920 --> 00:00:23,099 We're going to share the latest 9 00:00:23,100 --> 00:00:24,039 updates. 10 00:00:24,040 --> 00:00:25,459 And an attorney for the student who 11 00:00:25,460 --> 00:00:26,959 was deported while flying back to 12 00:00:26,960 --> 00:00:28,499 Austin for a holiday says the 13 00:00:28,500 --> 00:00:30,299 federal government admitted it 14 00:00:30,300 --> 00:00:32,118 violated a court order when it 15 00:00:32,119 --> 00:00:33,219 sent her to Honduras. 16 00:00:33,220 --> 00:00:35,499 Any Lopez-Vellosa, an Austin-raised 17 00:00:35,500 --> 00:00:37,399 student at Babson College outside of 18 00:00:37,400 --> 00:00:39,359 Boston was detained after trying to 19 00:00:39,360 --> 00:00:41,539 fly home before Thanksgiving. 20 00:00:41,540 --> 00:00:42,739 We're gonna have more about her 21 00:00:42,740 --> 00:00:44,979 story and her status on today's 22 00:00:44,980 --> 00:00:45,629 show. 23 00:00:45,630 --> 00:00:47,529 The Austin Signal is a production 24 00:00:47,530 --> 00:00:49,609 of KUT News, hosted by 25 00:00:49,610 --> 00:00:50,689 Jerry Quijano. 26 00:00:50,690 --> 00:00:52,909 And it's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 27 00:00:52,910 --> 00:00:54,969 Day. We're gonna hear from him. 28 00:00:54,970 --> 00:00:57,150 That's coming up on Austin Signal. 29 00:01:10,300 --> 00:01:11,959 Howdy out there, thank you for 30 00:01:11,960 --> 00:01:13,159 tuning in. 31 00:01:13,160 --> 00:01:15,219 This is Austin Signal, it's January 32 00:01:15,220 --> 00:01:17,399 19th, Martin Luther King 33 00:01:17,400 --> 00:01:18,199 Jr. 34 00:01:18,200 --> 00:01:19,979 Day. Thanks for spending part of it 35 00:01:19,980 --> 00:01:20,959 here with us. 36 00:01:20,960 --> 00:01:22,439 We've got a lot to share with you on 37 00:01:22,440 --> 00:01:24,339 today's show, including Dr. 38 00:01:24,340 --> 00:01:26,079 King's voice himself coming up a bit 39 00:01:26,080 --> 00:01:27,939 later. For now, let's get you an 40 00:01:27,940 --> 00:01:29,859 update from the KUT newsroom. 41 00:01:29,860 --> 00:01:31,419 Austin's long-delayed light rail 42 00:01:31,420 --> 00:01:33,259 project just got a crucial 43 00:01:33,260 --> 00:01:34,499 green light this month from the 44 00:01:34,500 --> 00:01:35,639 Trump administration. 45 00:01:35,640 --> 00:01:36,879 Federal transportation officials 46 00:01:36,880 --> 00:01:38,299 have formally signed off on the 47 00:01:38,300 --> 00:01:39,939 project's lengthy environmental 48 00:01:39,940 --> 00:01:40,959 review. 49 00:01:40,960 --> 00:01:42,399 It clears a major hurdle for Project 50 00:01:42,400 --> 00:01:44,079 Connect after years of lawsuits and 51 00:01:44,080 --> 00:01:45,799 political fights over the city's 52 00:01:45,800 --> 00:01:47,699 9.8-mile starter 53 00:01:47,700 --> 00:01:48,779 system. 54 00:01:48,780 --> 00:01:50,179 We're going to have more about this 55 00:01:50,180 --> 00:01:52,079 at KUT.org, and 56 00:01:52,080 --> 00:01:54,679 you can find more from us at Kut.org 57 00:01:54,680 --> 00:01:56,139 slash signal. 58 00:01:56,140 --> 00:01:58,959 Let's get into today's show. 59 00:01:58,960 --> 00:02:00,479 Last Thursday, immigration and 60 00:02:00,480 --> 00:02:01,799 customs enforcement operations were 61 00:02:01,800 --> 00:02:03,419 conducted in the cities of Kyle and 62 00:02:03,420 --> 00:02:05,289 Buda. With one person and Kyle being 63 00:02:05,290 --> 00:02:07,349 taken to the hospital after their 64 00:02:07,350 --> 00:02:08,929 encounter with ICE officers. 65 00:02:08,930 --> 00:02:10,069 Since then, there have been several 66 00:02:10,070 --> 00:02:12,049 protests in the area against these 67 00:02:12,050 --> 00:02:13,389 operations. 68 00:02:13,390 --> 00:02:14,849 For more about what's been going on, 69 00:02:14,850 --> 00:02:15,889 we're speaking with Travis County 70 00:02:15,890 --> 00:02:17,249 reporter, Katy McAfee. 71 00:02:17,250 --> 00:02:18,469 Katy, thanks for coming on the show. 72 00:02:18,470 --> 00:02:19,719 Thanks for having me on Jerry. 73 00:02:19,720 --> 00:02:21,699 So let's get people caught up 74 00:02:21,700 --> 00:02:23,279 to speed on Friday. 75 00:02:23,280 --> 00:02:24,839 KUT News reported about a man who 76 00:02:24,840 --> 00:02:26,939 was detained by ICE and Kyle. 77 00:02:26,940 --> 00:02:27,919 Tell us the story. 78 00:02:27,920 --> 00:02:29,839 Yeah, so on Thursday, the 79 00:02:29,840 --> 00:02:31,499 Kyle Police Department released a 80 00:02:31,500 --> 00:02:33,199 statement saying a man was detained 81 00:02:33,200 --> 00:02:35,139 by ICE in the city and had to 82 00:02:35,140 --> 00:02:37,039 be sent to the hospital. 83 00:02:37,040 --> 00:02:38,919 I asked Hays County Judge Ruben 84 00:02:38,920 --> 00:02:41,119 Becerra about it, and these 85 00:02:41,120 --> 00:02:42,879 are his words. He said that the man 86 00:02:42,880 --> 00:02:44,799 was beat up by ICE and 87 00:02:44,800 --> 00:02:47,179 that he was bleeding from his face. 88 00:02:47,180 --> 00:02:48,699 We also obtained a video from a 89 00:02:48,700 --> 00:02:50,259 woman who was near the incident on 90 00:02:50,260 --> 00:02:51,339 Thursday morning. 91 00:02:51,340 --> 00:02:52,899 And just to be clear, we are still 92 00:02:52,900 --> 00:02:54,619 working on independently verifying 93 00:02:54,620 --> 00:02:56,539 that this video is of the same 94 00:02:56,540 --> 00:02:58,289 incident that we're talking about. 95 00:02:58,290 --> 00:03:00,609 And in that video, you can see three 96 00:03:00,610 --> 00:03:02,509 ICE agents on top of the one 97 00:03:02,510 --> 00:03:04,349 man, and they are all coming out 98 00:03:04,350 --> 00:03:05,539 of an unmarked car. 99 00:03:05,540 --> 00:03:07,059 Okay, but you said you haven't been 100 00:03:07,060 --> 00:03:08,659 able yet to verify that with local 101 00:03:08,660 --> 00:03:09,489 law enforcement. 102 00:03:09,490 --> 00:03:11,169 That's correct, but the emails have 103 00:03:11,170 --> 00:03:11,509 been sent. 104 00:03:11,510 --> 00:03:12,389 Okay, okay. 105 00:03:12,390 --> 00:03:13,829 So tell us that we're speaking about 106 00:03:13,830 --> 00:03:15,229 this one incident. 107 00:03:15,230 --> 00:03:16,909 What other ice activity has been 108 00:03:16,910 --> 00:03:18,129 going on in Hays County that we know 109 00:03:18,130 --> 00:03:18,729 about? 110 00:03:18,730 --> 00:03:20,689 Yeah, so we know that ICE was 111 00:03:20,690 --> 00:03:23,109 active in Buda, too. 112 00:03:23,110 --> 00:03:25,169 Buda city officials announced early 113 00:03:25,170 --> 00:03:27,229 Thursday morning that ICE intended 114 00:03:27,230 --> 00:03:29,189 to park at the city hall, 115 00:03:29,190 --> 00:03:30,989 but Buda officials asked them to 116 00:03:30,990 --> 00:03:31,869 park somewhere else. 117 00:03:31,870 --> 00:03:33,329 And in this announcement, they said 118 00:03:33,330 --> 00:03:34,889 that they are not involved in the 119 00:03:34,890 --> 00:03:36,009 operation at all. 120 00:03:37,070 --> 00:03:38,709 Other than that, Buda City officials 121 00:03:38,710 --> 00:03:40,929 wouldn't confirm what vehicle 122 00:03:40,930 --> 00:03:42,269 ICE is operating out of. 123 00:03:42,270 --> 00:03:43,689 But again, I talked to Judge Ruben 124 00:03:43,690 --> 00:03:45,129 Becerra about it, and he said they 125 00:03:45,130 --> 00:03:47,189 are out of a large, white, 126 00:03:47,190 --> 00:03:48,249 unmarked van. 127 00:03:48,250 --> 00:03:50,109 Okay, it seems Judge Ruben 128 00:03:50,110 --> 00:03:51,889 Becerra has been pretty outspoken 129 00:03:51,890 --> 00:03:53,489 since these operations have been 130 00:03:53,490 --> 00:03:54,809 going on. 131 00:03:54,810 --> 00:03:55,989 You said a few things there. 132 00:03:55,990 --> 00:03:57,569 What else have you heard from him? 133 00:03:57,570 --> 00:03:58,809 And what else have heard from Hays 134 00:03:58,810 --> 00:04:00,249 County officials about these 135 00:04:00,250 --> 00:04:01,019 operations? 136 00:04:01,020 --> 00:04:02,679 Yeah, Judge Becerra has definitely 137 00:04:02,680 --> 00:04:04,599 been among the more forthcoming 138 00:04:04,600 --> 00:04:06,139 officials in Hayes County about 139 00:04:06,140 --> 00:04:07,239 what's going on. 140 00:04:07,240 --> 00:04:08,699 I spoke with him on Friday about 141 00:04:08,700 --> 00:04:09,979 what happened. 142 00:04:09,980 --> 00:04:11,079 And a big takeaway from that 143 00:04:11,080 --> 00:04:12,899 conversation was he said he 144 00:04:12,900 --> 00:04:15,179 supports local law enforcement, 145 00:04:15,180 --> 00:04:17,119 but does not at all agree with how 146 00:04:17,120 --> 00:04:19,479 ICE is operating in the county. 147 00:04:19,480 --> 00:04:21,259 Here's a quote from that interview. 148 00:04:21,260 --> 00:04:23,219 He said, they are not trained in 149 00:04:23,220 --> 00:04:24,159 de-escalation. 150 00:04:24,160 --> 00:04:25,479 They are not trained on how to take 151 00:04:25,480 --> 00:04:26,399 someone down. 152 00:04:26,400 --> 00:04:27,719 They're not trained as we would 153 00:04:27,720 --> 00:04:28,969 expect them to be. 154 00:04:28,970 --> 00:04:30,509 They're being run through like if it 155 00:04:30,510 --> 00:04:32,029 was the draft and we were in 156 00:04:32,030 --> 00:04:33,189 Vietnam. 157 00:04:33,190 --> 00:04:34,849 What have you heard from local 158 00:04:34,850 --> 00:04:36,799 activist groups in Hayes County? 159 00:04:36,800 --> 00:04:38,579 Yeah, local groups and, you know, 160 00:04:38,580 --> 00:04:40,039 even just people in the neighborhood 161 00:04:40,040 --> 00:04:41,799 have been very outspoken about 162 00:04:41,800 --> 00:04:43,079 what's happening. 163 00:04:43,080 --> 00:04:44,799 Even Friday morning, right after 164 00:04:44,800 --> 00:04:46,199 this incident that we've been 165 00:04:46,200 --> 00:04:47,539 reporting on happened, there were 166 00:04:47,540 --> 00:04:49,439 people protesting ICE at a busy 167 00:04:49,440 --> 00:04:50,699 intersection. 168 00:04:50,700 --> 00:04:52,919 And then yesterday, 169 00:04:52,920 --> 00:04:54,559 orgAnyzation Mano Amiga, they held a 170 00:04:54,560 --> 00:04:56,559 protest that more than 100 people 171 00:04:56,560 --> 00:04:59,059 ended up showing out to. 172 00:04:59,060 --> 00:05:00,859 And local activists, the message 173 00:05:00,860 --> 00:05:02,359 that they've really been pushing was 174 00:05:02,360 --> 00:05:03,979 for people to know their rights. 175 00:05:03,980 --> 00:05:04,759 And another thing they've been 176 00:05:04,760 --> 00:05:06,609 saying a lot is telling people 177 00:05:06,610 --> 00:05:08,529 to use their phones to protect 178 00:05:08,530 --> 00:05:10,249 them and record any ice activity 179 00:05:10,250 --> 00:05:11,069 they see. 180 00:05:11,070 --> 00:05:12,949 The KUT newsroom has been working to 181 00:05:12,950 --> 00:05:14,349 bring coverage on these protests 182 00:05:14,350 --> 00:05:16,389 both on the website kut.org 183 00:05:16,390 --> 00:05:17,849 as well as our social media 184 00:05:17,850 --> 00:05:18,749 channels. 185 00:05:18,750 --> 00:05:20,389 I'm guessing that these protests are 186 00:05:20,390 --> 00:05:21,329 likely to continue. 187 00:05:21,330 --> 00:05:23,429 What do we know so far about protest 188 00:05:23,430 --> 00:05:24,709 activity this week in Hayes County 189 00:05:24,710 --> 00:05:25,919 or even here in Austin? 190 00:05:25,920 --> 00:05:27,399 Yeah, definitely. 191 00:05:27,400 --> 00:05:29,219 We do know about a protest here 192 00:05:29,220 --> 00:05:30,499 in Austin happening tomorrow 193 00:05:30,500 --> 00:05:32,379 afternoon, and I believe there is 194 00:05:32,380 --> 00:05:33,699 another one that will be led by the 195 00:05:33,700 --> 00:05:35,559 Party of Socialism and Liberation. 196 00:05:35,560 --> 00:05:37,679 That one's scheduled on Friday, and 197 00:05:37,680 --> 00:05:38,999 we're keeping an eye out for any 198 00:05:39,000 --> 00:05:39,509 others. 199 00:05:39,510 --> 00:05:40,949 Okay well speaking of keeping an eye 200 00:05:40,950 --> 00:05:42,889 out, there's a lot transpiring 201 00:05:42,890 --> 00:05:44,009 in the story again. 202 00:05:44,010 --> 00:05:45,209 The incident happened Friday, we 203 00:05:45,210 --> 00:05:46,890 first reported on, excuse me, the 204 00:05:46,891 --> 00:05:48,229 incident happened on Thursday. 205 00:05:48,230 --> 00:05:49,729 We first reported about it on 206 00:05:49,730 --> 00:05:50,669 Friday. 207 00:05:50,670 --> 00:05:51,949 What else are you following? 208 00:05:51,950 --> 00:05:53,789 What else is the KUT News following, 209 00:05:53,790 --> 00:05:55,669 KUT newsroom following in regards 210 00:05:55,670 --> 00:05:56,299 to this story? 211 00:05:56,300 --> 00:05:58,239 Yeah, we're definitely not done 212 00:05:58,240 --> 00:05:59,279 covering the story. 213 00:05:59,280 --> 00:06:00,739 There's a lot to follow up on. 214 00:06:00,740 --> 00:06:01,919 We need to follow-up on the status 215 00:06:01,920 --> 00:06:03,839 of the man who was detained and 216 00:06:03,840 --> 00:06:05,439 hospitalized by ICE on Thursday 217 00:06:05,440 --> 00:06:06,499 morning. 218 00:06:06,500 --> 00:06:07,539 We're asking the Sheriff's 219 00:06:07,540 --> 00:06:09,299 Department about any others who were 220 00:06:09,300 --> 00:06:11,219 detained over the weekend. 221 00:06:11,220 --> 00:06:12,399 And another thing I'm trying to find 222 00:06:12,400 --> 00:06:14,259 out is if ICE is still stationed in 223 00:06:14,260 --> 00:06:15,819 Hays County or where else in central 224 00:06:15,820 --> 00:06:17,169 Texas they might be. 225 00:06:17,170 --> 00:06:18,589 Okay well we have been speaking with 226 00:06:18,590 --> 00:06:20,849 Travis County reporter Katy McAfee 227 00:06:20,850 --> 00:06:21,669 again. 228 00:06:21,670 --> 00:06:23,249 KUT Newsroom has been doing coverage 229 00:06:23,250 --> 00:06:25,389 online on our website kut.org 230 00:06:25,390 --> 00:06:27,389 on the KUT app and on our 231 00:06:27,390 --> 00:06:28,709 social media channels and I'm sure 232 00:06:28,710 --> 00:06:29,949 that will continue to be the case. 233 00:06:29,950 --> 00:06:31,549 We had some great help from our 234 00:06:31,550 --> 00:06:33,489 multimedia team this weekend as 235 00:06:33,490 --> 00:06:34,949 well as Katy. You can find more of 236 00:06:34,950 --> 00:06:36,829 her reporting at kut 237 00:06:36,830 --> 00:06:37,989 dot org and we're going to have a 238 00:06:37,990 --> 00:06:39,749 link in the podcast show notes as 239 00:06:39,750 --> 00:06:41,109 well. Katy thanks for coming on the 240 00:06:41,110 --> 00:06:41,339 show. 241 00:06:41,340 --> 00:06:42,340 Thanks for having me on Jury. 242 00:06:51,090 --> 00:06:52,989 19-Year-old Any Lucia Lopez 243 00:06:52,990 --> 00:06:54,709 Bellosa fled Honduras with her 244 00:06:54,710 --> 00:06:56,649 mother when she was 7 years old. 245 00:06:56,650 --> 00:06:58,409 She grew up in Austin, where her 246 00:06:58,410 --> 00:06:59,889 parents still live, and while 247 00:06:59,890 --> 00:07:01,289 attending her fall semester of 248 00:07:01,290 --> 00:07:03,169 college in Boston, tried to surprise 249 00:07:03,170 --> 00:07:05,169 them with a visit for Thanksgiving. 250 00:07:05,170 --> 00:07:06,849 She was arrested by ICE officials at 251 00:07:06,850 --> 00:07:08,749 the airport, and despite a court 252 00:07:08,750 --> 00:07:10,969 order, flown to Texas, then deported 253 00:07:10,970 --> 00:07:12,649 within a span of 48 hours. 254 00:07:12,650 --> 00:07:14,289 Now, the U.S. 255 00:07:14,290 --> 00:07:15,329 Government is admitting it made a 256 00:07:15,330 --> 00:07:17,029 mistake by violating that court 257 00:07:17,030 --> 00:07:18,939 order. For more, we are 258 00:07:18,940 --> 00:07:20,279 talking with KUT's government 259 00:07:20,280 --> 00:07:21,739 accountability reporter, Andrew 260 00:07:21,740 --> 00:07:23,039 Weber. Andrew, thanks for coming on 261 00:07:23,040 --> 00:07:23,609 the show. 262 00:07:23,610 --> 00:07:24,429 Of course. Thanks, sir. 263 00:07:24,430 --> 00:07:27,559 So, where did this apology happen? 264 00:07:27,560 --> 00:07:29,539 Simply happened in federal court 265 00:07:29,540 --> 00:07:31,499 and that's important because this 266 00:07:31,500 --> 00:07:33,259 is a case that has drawn a lot of 267 00:07:33,260 --> 00:07:35,539 attention nationally and, um, 268 00:07:35,540 --> 00:07:37,079 from, I will, I will note from like 269 00:07:37,080 --> 00:07:39,499 a lot bipartisan lawmakers, 270 00:07:39,500 --> 00:07:40,939 lawmakers on both sides of the aisle 271 00:07:40,940 --> 00:07:42,819 at state and federal levels have 272 00:07:42,820 --> 00:07:45,059 come out and, and sort of questioned 273 00:07:45,060 --> 00:07:47,119 why Lopez Belloza was, was 274 00:07:47,120 --> 00:07:48,329 detained and deported. 275 00:07:48,330 --> 00:07:50,949 And we had you on the show talking, 276 00:07:50,950 --> 00:07:53,109 I guess it was probably last 277 00:07:53,110 --> 00:07:55,069 month, and we heard a little 278 00:07:55,070 --> 00:07:57,269 bit then from Any's lawyer, what was 279 00:07:57,270 --> 00:07:58,649 the lawyer's reaction to the 280 00:07:58,650 --> 00:07:59,449 apology? 281 00:07:59,450 --> 00:08:01,289 Yeah, her attorney, Todd Pomerleau, 282 00:08:01,290 --> 00:08:03,789 was very surprised by this. 283 00:08:03,790 --> 00:08:05,829 These are sorts of cases that, 284 00:08:05,830 --> 00:08:06,889 you know, don't get a lot of this, 285 00:08:06,890 --> 00:08:09,069 like, sort of attention, uh, 286 00:08:09,070 --> 00:08:11,069 and certainly this, in 287 00:08:11,070 --> 00:08:13,129 this sort of political climate, um, 288 00:08:13,130 --> 00:08:14,569 with ICE, you know, going into 289 00:08:14,570 --> 00:08:16,349 cities in which cities, uh city 290 00:08:16,350 --> 00:08:17,709 officials don't want them. 291 00:08:17,710 --> 00:08:20,429 He was surprised to hear that. 292 00:08:20,430 --> 00:08:21,989 Attorneys for the federal government 293 00:08:21,990 --> 00:08:23,849 were basically lying 294 00:08:23,850 --> 00:08:25,309 prostrate before the judge and 295 00:08:25,310 --> 00:08:26,369 saying, we're sorry. 296 00:08:28,050 --> 00:08:29,669 They can say yes, they can say no. 297 00:08:29,670 --> 00:08:31,289 They've said sorry. 298 00:08:31,290 --> 00:08:32,189 They didn't go to court the other 299 00:08:32,190 --> 00:08:33,829 day and be like, nope, dismiss the 300 00:08:33,830 --> 00:08:35,689 case. We're not saying we're sorry. 301 00:08:35,690 --> 00:08:37,349 They could have taken that approach 302 00:08:37,350 --> 00:08:38,869 and I'm gonna recognize it for what 303 00:08:38,870 --> 00:08:41,068 it is. It's an act of contrition 304 00:08:41,069 --> 00:08:43,448 and I am gonna assume good faith. 305 00:08:43,449 --> 00:08:45,429 Before this apology, I wasn't 306 00:08:45,430 --> 00:08:47,089 assuming good faith 307 00:08:47,090 --> 00:08:49,069 That was a reaction from her lawyer, 308 00:08:49,070 --> 00:08:50,289 Todd Pomerleau. 309 00:08:50,290 --> 00:08:52,029 Again, Any also had a reaction to 310 00:08:52,030 --> 00:08:53,469 that apology. Here she is in an 311 00:08:53,470 --> 00:08:54,470 interview with CNN. 312 00:08:55,310 --> 00:08:57,429 Hearing that they have apologized 313 00:08:57,430 --> 00:08:59,889 to the mistake that they've made, 314 00:08:59,890 --> 00:09:01,729 I accept their apologies and I hope 315 00:09:01,730 --> 00:09:03,589 that based on this apology I'm 316 00:09:03,590 --> 00:09:05,409 able to return back to my studies 317 00:09:05,410 --> 00:09:07,369 and also to be home with 318 00:09:07,370 --> 00:09:08,370 my parents. 319 00:09:09,210 --> 00:09:10,909 Andrew, what do we know about where 320 00:09:10,910 --> 00:09:12,009 Any is right now? 321 00:09:12,010 --> 00:09:13,410 We know that she's in Honduras. 322 00:09:14,450 --> 00:09:16,149 Our previous reporting, the last 323 00:09:16,150 --> 00:09:17,329 time I checked with Todd Palmerlo, 324 00:09:17,330 --> 00:09:18,789 he said that she was with her 325 00:09:18,790 --> 00:09:19,790 grandparents. 326 00:09:20,280 --> 00:09:21,959 Now this is not the first time it 327 00:09:21,960 --> 00:09:23,719 has been reported that ICE violates 328 00:09:23,720 --> 00:09:25,019 a judicial order. 329 00:09:25,020 --> 00:09:26,879 Does this apology mean that we 330 00:09:26,880 --> 00:09:29,239 are likely to see less mistakes like 331 00:09:29,240 --> 00:09:30,859 this in the future? 332 00:09:30,860 --> 00:09:31,959 That's a good question. 333 00:09:31,960 --> 00:09:33,619 And I don't have an immediate answer 334 00:09:33,620 --> 00:09:35,459 for it in, in this motion that 335 00:09:35,460 --> 00:09:38,079 they filed, they apologized, 336 00:09:38,080 --> 00:09:39,479 which is really kind of an 337 00:09:39,480 --> 00:09:40,619 administrative apology. 338 00:09:40,620 --> 00:09:41,699 It's not, you know, obviously it's 339 00:09:41,700 --> 00:09:43,759 not a direct apology to Lopez 340 00:09:43,760 --> 00:09:44,539 Belloza. 341 00:09:44,540 --> 00:09:46,119 It's an apology to her attorney, 342 00:09:46,120 --> 00:09:48,499 Todd Palmerlo, but they, 343 00:09:48,500 --> 00:09:50,379 they basically pinned all of this on 344 00:09:50,380 --> 00:09:52,319 an employee who didn't know 345 00:09:52,320 --> 00:09:54,519 that there was this order to 346 00:09:54,520 --> 00:09:56,339 keep on a, in the 347 00:09:56,340 --> 00:09:58,709 country for at least 72 hours. 348 00:09:58,710 --> 00:10:00,029 So I don't really think that there's 349 00:10:00,030 --> 00:10:01,669 necessarily any broad, you know, 350 00:10:01,670 --> 00:10:03,849 sort of sweeping impact 351 00:10:03,850 --> 00:10:06,429 as it relates to this apology, but 352 00:10:06,430 --> 00:10:08,649 it does sort of tee up 353 00:10:08,650 --> 00:10:10,390 this case going forward. 354 00:10:11,710 --> 00:10:13,649 And specifically, Todd, the 355 00:10:13,650 --> 00:10:15,969 attorney, Todd Pomelo, filed a 356 00:10:15,970 --> 00:10:17,849 motion Friday, right 357 00:10:17,850 --> 00:10:19,349 after I talked to him, and he laid 358 00:10:19,350 --> 00:10:21,470 out how this could go forward. 359 00:10:22,990 --> 00:10:24,349 But the remedy they were proposing 360 00:10:24,350 --> 00:10:25,929 is inadequate. 361 00:10:25,930 --> 00:10:26,989 They were saying, look, we retrained 362 00:10:26,990 --> 00:10:28,949 our staff at ICE and what to do with 363 00:10:28,950 --> 00:10:29,950 a court order. 364 00:10:30,770 --> 00:10:32,929 I mean, okay, that's 365 00:10:32,930 --> 00:10:34,089 prospective harm, right? 366 00:10:34,090 --> 00:10:35,090 You're fixing, 367 00:10:36,070 --> 00:10:37,229 you know, hopefully there's another, 368 00:10:37,230 --> 00:10:38,529 there's not another Annie Lopez that 369 00:10:38,530 --> 00:10:39,669 gets illegally deported in the 370 00:10:39,670 --> 00:10:40,729 future. That's great. 371 00:10:40,730 --> 00:10:42,689 You did something remedial to fix 372 00:10:42,690 --> 00:10:43,549 future problems. 373 00:10:43,550 --> 00:10:44,769 What about what you did to her? 374 00:10:45,790 --> 00:10:47,189 And that's really where we're at 375 00:10:47,190 --> 00:10:48,529 right now. And the judge, and I 376 00:10:48,530 --> 00:10:49,929 think the judge recognized this too, 377 00:10:49,930 --> 00:10:50,789 because he was kind of like, look 378 00:10:50,790 --> 00:10:52,069 she's a college student, she got a 379 00:10:52,070 --> 00:10:53,259 full ride. 380 00:10:53,260 --> 00:10:54,860 You know, is this still available? 381 00:10:56,030 --> 00:10:57,169 Okay, Andrew, last question. 382 00:10:57,170 --> 00:10:59,109 You mentioned teeing up the case. 383 00:10:59,110 --> 00:11:01,109 Where does Any's case go from 384 00:11:01,110 --> 00:11:03,009 here? Does the apology affect it 385 00:11:03,010 --> 00:11:04,029 in any way? 386 00:11:04,030 --> 00:11:05,509 The apology does affect it in that 387 00:11:05,510 --> 00:11:06,849 the federal government is not going 388 00:11:06,850 --> 00:11:08,589 to be held in contemptive court, 389 00:11:08,590 --> 00:11:10,489 which is obviously, you 390 00:11:10,490 --> 00:11:13,389 know, good for their argument. 391 00:11:13,390 --> 00:11:15,329 But within that motion that 392 00:11:15,330 --> 00:11:17,109 Todd filed, that Todd Pomerleau 393 00:11:17,110 --> 00:11:18,949 filed, I should say, he laid 394 00:11:18,950 --> 00:11:20,209 out a couple of options, one of 395 00:11:20,210 --> 00:11:21,809 which would be she can return to the 396 00:11:21,810 --> 00:11:23,829 U.S. And she would be under sort 397 00:11:23,830 --> 00:11:26,189 of supervision, sort of like parole. 398 00:11:26,190 --> 00:11:28,549 Another would be that she 399 00:11:28,550 --> 00:11:30,409 is allowed to return to country 400 00:11:30,410 --> 00:11:32,089 while her application for a green 401 00:11:32,090 --> 00:11:33,589 card is being processed. 402 00:11:33,590 --> 00:11:35,349 And she can go back to school and 403 00:11:35,350 --> 00:11:37,099 back to her life. 404 00:11:37,100 --> 00:11:37,939 All right, we have been speaking 405 00:11:37,940 --> 00:11:39,679 with KUT's government accountability 406 00:11:39,680 --> 00:11:41,299 reporter, Andrew Weber, you can find 407 00:11:41,300 --> 00:11:43,559 his story at kut.org. 408 00:11:43,560 --> 00:11:44,779 And again, we'll have more in our 409 00:11:44,780 --> 00:11:45,879 podcast show notes. 410 00:11:45,880 --> 00:11:46,699 Andrew, thanks for coming on the 411 00:11:46,700 --> 00:11:47,700 show. Thank you, Jerry. 412 00:11:55,780 --> 00:11:57,859 It is Martin Luther King Jr. 413 00:11:57,860 --> 00:11:59,199 Day, and here in Austin the city 414 00:11:59,200 --> 00:12:01,519 marked the return of the annual MLK 415 00:12:01,520 --> 00:12:02,679 Day March. 416 00:12:02,680 --> 00:12:03,719 That march was canceled the last 417 00:12:03,720 --> 00:12:05,379 couple of years because of inclement 418 00:12:05,380 --> 00:12:06,239 weather. 419 00:12:06,240 --> 00:12:07,859 And though the day is still chilly, 420 00:12:07,860 --> 00:12:09,779 the sun was shining as thousands of 421 00:12:09,780 --> 00:12:11,439 marchers gathered at the Capitol to 422 00:12:11,440 --> 00:12:12,779 start their journey to Houston 423 00:12:12,780 --> 00:12:14,539 Tillotson University. 424 00:12:14,540 --> 00:12:16,159 Here is Joya Hayes, Capitol March 425 00:12:16,160 --> 00:12:17,799 coordinator with the Austin Area 426 00:12:17,800 --> 00:12:19,739 Heritage Council, and puts on the 427 00:12:19,740 --> 00:12:20,740 event. 428 00:12:21,030 --> 00:12:23,029 Dr. King believed that progress 429 00:12:23,030 --> 00:12:25,069 begins when ordinary 430 00:12:25,070 --> 00:12:27,309 people come together with peaceful, 431 00:12:27,310 --> 00:12:28,969 respectful ways to serve their 432 00:12:28,970 --> 00:12:31,029 communities and stand up for 433 00:12:31,030 --> 00:12:32,429 human dignity. 434 00:12:32,430 --> 00:12:34,389 This day is not just about what's 435 00:12:34,390 --> 00:12:35,729 going wrong. 436 00:12:35,730 --> 00:12:37,729 This is not a day to just 437 00:12:37,730 --> 00:12:40,049 look at the politics of America. 438 00:12:40,050 --> 00:12:41,929 This is a day for us to have shared 439 00:12:41,930 --> 00:12:44,289 values, kindness, 440 00:12:44,290 --> 00:12:46,719 service, unity and hope. 441 00:12:46,720 --> 00:12:48,259 Participating in this march and 442 00:12:48,260 --> 00:12:50,119 rally is a way to reflect those 443 00:12:50,120 --> 00:12:52,139 values, to show up for 444 00:12:52,140 --> 00:12:54,259 one another and to reaffirm 445 00:12:54,260 --> 00:12:56,079 the positive change that 446 00:12:56,080 --> 00:12:58,079 starts when we choose to walk 447 00:12:58,080 --> 00:12:59,819 forward together. 448 00:12:59,820 --> 00:13:01,079 The festival portion of the event 449 00:13:01,080 --> 00:13:03,039 goes until 4pm today at 450 00:13:03,040 --> 00:13:04,379 Houston Tillotson University. 451 00:13:06,900 --> 00:13:08,359 We're going to have more about MLK 452 00:13:08,360 --> 00:13:10,159 Day coming up after this break. 453 00:13:10,160 --> 00:13:11,940 You're listening to Austin Signal. 454 00:13:16,700 --> 00:13:18,199 This is Austin Signal. 455 00:13:18,200 --> 00:13:19,619 Thank you for spending part of your 456 00:13:19,620 --> 00:13:20,419 Monday. 457 00:13:20,420 --> 00:13:22,839 Again, it is Martin Luther King Jr. 458 00:13:22,840 --> 00:13:24,679 Day. And we wanted to celebrate 459 00:13:24,680 --> 00:13:26,419 with a little something special to 460 00:13:26,420 --> 00:13:28,319 wrap up today's episode. 461 00:13:28,320 --> 00:13:30,179 So we needed the help of 462 00:13:30,180 --> 00:13:32,319 the one and only John L. 463 00:13:32,320 --> 00:13:33,119 Hanson Jr. 464 00:13:33,120 --> 00:13:35,159 He is the host of the podcast 465 00:13:35,160 --> 00:13:37,179 in Black America produced right 466 00:13:37,180 --> 00:13:39,839 here at KUT KUTX Studios. 467 00:13:39,840 --> 00:13:41,639 John has a little remembrance and a 468 00:13:41,640 --> 00:13:43,699 little audio from Dr. King himself. 469 00:13:43,700 --> 00:13:45,080 Let's pass it on over to John. 470 00:13:54,090 --> 00:13:56,029 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 471 00:13:56,030 --> 00:13:58,029 Is considered by many as the father 472 00:13:58,030 --> 00:14:00,269 of the civil rights movement. 473 00:14:00,270 --> 00:14:02,989 Born on Tuesday, January 15, 474 00:14:02,990 --> 00:14:04,929 1929 at the family home 475 00:14:04,930 --> 00:14:06,729 in Atlanta, Georgia. 476 00:14:06,730 --> 00:14:08,189 He was christened Michael Luther 477 00:14:08,190 --> 00:14:10,569 King, but in 1934, 478 00:14:10,570 --> 00:14:12,769 Daddy King changed his name after 479 00:14:12,770 --> 00:14:14,529 young Martin experienced racial 480 00:14:14,530 --> 00:14:16,149 prejudice. 481 00:14:16,150 --> 00:14:18,269 In 1944, at the age of 15, 482 00:14:18,270 --> 00:14:19,909 he graduated high school and entered 483 00:14:19,910 --> 00:14:21,989 Morehouse College in Atlanta. 484 00:14:21,990 --> 00:14:23,889 With intention on becoming a medical 485 00:14:23,890 --> 00:14:25,909 doctor, but changed his mind 486 00:14:25,910 --> 00:14:27,929 in his junior year. 487 00:14:27,930 --> 00:14:30,149 In April 1948, King received 488 00:14:30,150 --> 00:14:32,149 his bachelor's degree in sociology 489 00:14:32,150 --> 00:14:34,089 at Intercrojitheological 490 00:14:34,090 --> 00:14:37,169 Seminary in Chester, PennsylvAnya. 491 00:14:37,170 --> 00:14:39,129 In May 1951, he graduated 492 00:14:39,130 --> 00:14:40,989 with a bachelor's of divinity degree 493 00:14:40,990 --> 00:14:43,129 and as valedictorian and 494 00:14:43,130 --> 00:14:45,229 student body president. 495 00:14:45,230 --> 00:14:47,069 In 1955, he earned his 496 00:14:47,070 --> 00:14:48,889 doctorate in systematic theology 497 00:14:48,890 --> 00:14:50,249 from Boston University. 498 00:14:51,300 --> 00:14:53,359 In spring 1963, 499 00:14:53,360 --> 00:14:54,939 King's nonviolent tactics were put 500 00:14:54,940 --> 00:14:56,539 to their most severe test in 501 00:14:56,540 --> 00:14:58,419 Birmingham, Alabama during a 502 00:14:58,420 --> 00:15:00,339 mass protest for fair hiring 503 00:15:00,340 --> 00:15:02,539 practices and the desegregation 504 00:15:02,540 --> 00:15:04,559 of department stores. 505 00:15:04,560 --> 00:15:06,299 Police brutality used against the 506 00:15:06,300 --> 00:15:07,979 march had dramatized the plight of 507 00:15:07,980 --> 00:15:09,559 African Americans to the nation at 508 00:15:09,560 --> 00:15:11,339 large with enormous impact. 509 00:15:11,340 --> 00:15:13,239 King and others were arrested 510 00:15:13,240 --> 00:15:15,449 but his voice was not silent. 511 00:15:15,450 --> 00:15:17,069 While in his cell, he read a 512 00:15:17,070 --> 00:15:18,849 published statement by eight Alabama 513 00:15:18,850 --> 00:15:20,509 clergymen that criticized his 514 00:15:20,510 --> 00:15:22,409 activities as untimely and 515 00:15:22,410 --> 00:15:23,589 unwise. 516 00:15:23,590 --> 00:15:25,469 On the margins of the newspaper, he 517 00:15:25,470 --> 00:15:27,389 composed his classic reply letter 518 00:15:27,390 --> 00:15:29,349 from a Birmingham jail to 519 00:15:29,350 --> 00:15:30,739 refute his critics. 520 00:15:30,740 --> 00:15:32,559 In your statement, you assert that 521 00:15:32,560 --> 00:15:34,599 our actions, even though 522 00:15:34,600 --> 00:15:36,419 peaceful, must be condemned 523 00:15:36,420 --> 00:15:38,319 because they precipitate 524 00:15:38,320 --> 00:15:39,259 violence. 525 00:15:39,260 --> 00:15:41,679 But is this a logical assertion? 526 00:15:41,680 --> 00:15:43,459 Isn't this like condemning a robbed 527 00:15:43,460 --> 00:15:44,399 man? 528 00:15:44,400 --> 00:15:46,079 Because his possession of money 529 00:15:46,080 --> 00:15:47,759 precipitated the evil act of 530 00:15:47,760 --> 00:15:49,719 robbery? Isn't is like condeming 531 00:15:49,720 --> 00:15:51,599 Socrates because his 532 00:15:51,600 --> 00:15:53,519 unswerving commitment to truth 533 00:15:53,520 --> 00:15:55,339 and his philosophical 534 00:15:55,340 --> 00:15:57,239 inquiries precipitated 535 00:15:57,240 --> 00:15:59,179 the act by the misguided 536 00:15:59,180 --> 00:16:01,149 populace in which they made 537 00:16:01,150 --> 00:16:03,249 him drink hemlock, 538 00:16:03,250 --> 00:16:04,849 isn't this like condemning Jesus 539 00:16:04,850 --> 00:16:07,169 because his unique God consciousness 540 00:16:07,170 --> 00:16:09,269 and never ceasing devotion 541 00:16:09,270 --> 00:16:11,849 to God's will precipitated 542 00:16:11,850 --> 00:16:14,429 the evil act of crucifixion? 543 00:16:14,430 --> 00:16:16,509 More and more, I feel 544 00:16:16,510 --> 00:16:18,429 that the people of ill will 545 00:16:18,430 --> 00:16:20,489 have used time much more 546 00:16:20,490 --> 00:16:22,489 effectively than have 547 00:16:22,490 --> 00:16:24,469 the people good will. 548 00:16:24,470 --> 00:16:26,309 We will have to repent in this 549 00:16:26,310 --> 00:16:27,789 generation. 550 00:16:27,790 --> 00:16:29,729 Not merely for the hateful 551 00:16:29,730 --> 00:16:31,629 words and actions of 552 00:16:31,630 --> 00:16:33,449 the bad people but 553 00:16:33,450 --> 00:16:35,329 for the appalling silence of 554 00:16:35,330 --> 00:16:36,889 the good people. 555 00:16:36,890 --> 00:16:39,329 Now is the time to 556 00:16:39,330 --> 00:16:41,629 make real the promise of democracy 557 00:16:41,630 --> 00:16:43,669 and transform our 558 00:16:43,670 --> 00:16:45,769 pending national elegy 559 00:16:45,770 --> 00:16:47,649 into a creative psalm 560 00:16:47,650 --> 00:16:49,109 of brotherhood. 561 00:16:49,110 --> 00:16:51,569 Now is time to 562 00:16:51,570 --> 00:16:53,409 lift our national policy from 563 00:16:53,410 --> 00:16:55,369 the quicksand of racial injustice 564 00:16:55,370 --> 00:16:57,439 to the solid rock. 565 00:16:57,440 --> 00:16:58,899 Of human dignity. 566 00:16:58,900 --> 00:17:00,819 I have no fear about the outcome 567 00:17:00,820 --> 00:17:03,019 of our struggle in Birmingham, 568 00:17:03,020 --> 00:17:04,919 even if our motives are 569 00:17:04,920 --> 00:17:06,779 at present misunderstood. 570 00:17:06,780 --> 00:17:08,739 We will reach the goal of freedom in 571 00:17:08,740 --> 00:17:11,239 Birmingham and all over the nation, 572 00:17:11,240 --> 00:17:13,299 because the goal in America is 573 00:17:13,300 --> 00:17:14,618 freedom. 574 00:17:14,619 --> 00:17:16,578 Abused and scorned though we 575 00:17:16,579 --> 00:17:18,459 may be, our 576 00:17:18,460 --> 00:17:20,379 destiny is tied up 577 00:17:20,380 --> 00:17:22,739 with America's destiny. 578 00:17:22,740 --> 00:17:24,659 Before the pilgrims landed 579 00:17:24,660 --> 00:17:27,289 at Plymouth, we were here. 580 00:17:27,290 --> 00:17:29,789 Before the pen of Jefferson etched 581 00:17:29,790 --> 00:17:31,289 the majestic words of the 582 00:17:31,290 --> 00:17:33,709 Declaration of Independence across 583 00:17:33,710 --> 00:17:35,789 the pages of history we were 584 00:17:35,790 --> 00:17:36,869 here. 585 00:17:36,870 --> 00:17:38,349 For more than two centuries our 586 00:17:38,350 --> 00:17:39,829 forebears labored in this country 587 00:17:39,830 --> 00:17:41,309 without wages. 588 00:17:41,310 --> 00:17:43,389 They made cotton king, 589 00:17:43,390 --> 00:17:44,689 they built the homes of their 590 00:17:44,690 --> 00:17:46,509 masters, while suffering 591 00:17:46,510 --> 00:17:48,649 gross injustice and shameful 592 00:17:48,650 --> 00:17:50,249 humiliation. 593 00:17:50,250 --> 00:17:51,629 And yet out of a bottomless 594 00:17:51,630 --> 00:17:53,869 vitality, they continued 595 00:17:53,870 --> 00:17:55,879 to thrive and develop. 596 00:17:55,880 --> 00:17:58,399 If the inexpressible cruelties 597 00:17:58,400 --> 00:18:00,259 of slavery could not 598 00:18:00,260 --> 00:18:02,499 stop us, the opposition 599 00:18:02,500 --> 00:18:04,799 we now face will 600 00:18:04,800 --> 00:18:06,299 surely fail. 601 00:18:06,300 --> 00:18:09,219 We will win our freedom because 602 00:18:09,220 --> 00:18:11,019 the sacred heritage of our nation 603 00:18:11,020 --> 00:18:13,079 and the eternal will 604 00:18:13,080 --> 00:18:14,959 of the almighty God 605 00:18:14,960 --> 00:18:16,839 are embodied in 606 00:18:16,840 --> 00:18:19,459 our echoing demands. 607 00:18:19,460 --> 00:18:21,459 Never before have I written so 608 00:18:21,460 --> 00:18:22,638 long a letter. 609 00:18:22,639 --> 00:18:24,519 I'm afraid it is much too long 610 00:18:24,520 --> 00:18:27,149 to take your precious time. 611 00:18:27,150 --> 00:18:28,869 I can assure you that it would have 612 00:18:28,870 --> 00:18:30,749 been much shorter if I 613 00:18:30,750 --> 00:18:32,509 had been writing from a comfortable 614 00:18:32,510 --> 00:18:34,529 desk. But what else can one do 615 00:18:34,530 --> 00:18:36,449 when he is alone in a narrow jail 616 00:18:36,450 --> 00:18:38,569 cell other than write 617 00:18:38,570 --> 00:18:40,469 long letters, think 618 00:18:40,470 --> 00:18:42,489 long thoughts, and pray long 619 00:18:42,490 --> 00:18:43,589 prayers. 620 00:18:43,590 --> 00:18:45,229 If I have said anything in this 621 00:18:45,230 --> 00:18:47,709 letter that overstates the truth and 622 00:18:47,710 --> 00:18:49,309 indicates an unreasonable 623 00:18:49,310 --> 00:18:51,289 impatience, I beg you 624 00:18:51,290 --> 00:18:52,069 to forgive me. 625 00:18:52,070 --> 00:18:54,419 If I've said anything 626 00:18:54,420 --> 00:18:56,419 that understates the truth 627 00:18:56,420 --> 00:18:58,339 and indicates my having a 628 00:18:58,340 --> 00:19:00,219 patience that allows me to 629 00:19:00,220 --> 00:19:01,839 settle for anything less than 630 00:19:01,840 --> 00:19:03,959 brotherhood, I beg God 631 00:19:03,960 --> 00:19:05,479 to forgive me. 632 00:19:05,480 --> 00:19:07,319 I hope this letter finds you 633 00:19:07,320 --> 00:19:08,999 strong in the faith. 634 00:19:09,000 --> 00:19:11,239 I also hope that circumstances 635 00:19:11,240 --> 00:19:13,059 will soon make it possible for 636 00:19:13,060 --> 00:19:15,099 me to meet each of you, not 637 00:19:15,100 --> 00:19:17,039 as an integrationist or as a 638 00:19:17,040 --> 00:19:18,959 civil rights leader, but as 639 00:19:18,960 --> 00:19:20,919 a fellow clergyman and 640 00:19:20,920 --> 00:19:22,429 a Christian brother. 641 00:19:22,430 --> 00:19:24,489 Let us all hope that the dark clouds 642 00:19:24,490 --> 00:19:26,509 of racial prejudice will 643 00:19:26,510 --> 00:19:28,409 soon pass away, and 644 00:19:28,410 --> 00:19:30,249 the deep fog of misunderstanding 645 00:19:30,250 --> 00:19:32,389 will be lifted from our 646 00:19:32,390 --> 00:19:34,449 fear-drenched communities, 647 00:19:34,450 --> 00:19:35,989 and in some not too distant 648 00:19:35,990 --> 00:19:38,229 tomorrow, the radiant stars 649 00:19:38,230 --> 00:19:40,549 of love and brotherhood will 650 00:19:40,550 --> 00:19:42,409 shine over our great nation 651 00:19:42,410 --> 00:19:44,709 with all their scintillating 652 00:19:44,710 --> 00:19:45,769 beauty. 653 00:19:45,770 --> 00:19:47,769 Yours for the cause of peace and 654 00:19:47,770 --> 00:19:49,849 brother-hood, Martin Luther King, 655 00:19:49,850 --> 00:19:50,659 Jr. 656 00:19:50,660 --> 00:19:52,599 In 1957 in New Orleans 657 00:19:52,600 --> 00:19:54,599 seeking to build upon the success of 658 00:19:54,600 --> 00:19:56,619 the Montgomery Bus Boycott with 659 00:19:56,620 --> 00:19:58,259 the hope of upgrading the status of 660 00:19:58,260 --> 00:20:00,499 southern blacks and America's poor, 661 00:20:00,500 --> 00:20:01,799 King summed together a number of 662 00:20:01,800 --> 00:20:03,239 black leaders to lay the foundation 663 00:20:03,240 --> 00:20:05,059 for the orgAnyzation now known 664 00:20:05,060 --> 00:20:06,819 as the Southern Christian Leadership 665 00:20:06,820 --> 00:20:09,159 Conference, SCLC. 666 00:20:09,160 --> 00:20:10,999 King was elected its first president 667 00:20:11,000 --> 00:20:12,859 and he soon began helping other 668 00:20:12,860 --> 00:20:14,519 communities orgAnyze their own 669 00:20:14,520 --> 00:20:16,429 protest against discrimination. 670 00:20:16,430 --> 00:20:18,229 The Honorable Andrew Young, former 671 00:20:18,230 --> 00:20:20,309 Mayor of Atlanta and U.S. 672 00:20:20,310 --> 00:20:21,569 Ambassador, was one of King's most 673 00:20:21,570 --> 00:20:22,959 trusted advisors. 674 00:20:22,960 --> 00:20:24,299 Looking back on it, we think of 675 00:20:24,300 --> 00:20:26,759 those as the best days of our lives. 676 00:20:26,760 --> 00:20:28,539 Actually at the time it was, 677 00:20:29,740 --> 00:20:30,939 we really didn't know what we were 678 00:20:30,940 --> 00:20:33,019 doing, we knew things were wrong 679 00:20:33,020 --> 00:20:34,859 and that somebody had to 680 00:20:34,860 --> 00:20:36,819 do something about it and we just 681 00:20:36,820 --> 00:20:38,499 stumbled along from one thing to the 682 00:20:38,500 --> 00:20:39,979 other until we found a way to make 683 00:20:39,980 --> 00:20:40,980 it work. 684 00:20:41,880 --> 00:20:43,699 And fortunately most of us had 685 00:20:43,700 --> 00:20:46,199 read a lot about India and 686 00:20:46,200 --> 00:20:48,199 we understood some of the on violent 687 00:20:48,200 --> 00:20:49,879 methods of Gandhi. 688 00:20:49,880 --> 00:20:51,699 And we just experimented until 689 00:20:51,700 --> 00:20:53,439 we found out how to orgAnyze people. 690 00:20:53,440 --> 00:20:55,779 Nobody was trained as an orgAnyzer. 691 00:20:55,780 --> 00:20:58,419 We knew the black community. 692 00:20:58,420 --> 00:21:00,019 We knew cities that we were working 693 00:21:00,020 --> 00:21:01,020 in fairly well. 694 00:21:02,240 --> 00:21:04,659 And we learned gradually over 695 00:21:04,660 --> 00:21:06,119 a period of time how to get things 696 00:21:06,120 --> 00:21:07,879 done. What type of impact did the 697 00:21:07,880 --> 00:21:09,519 late Dr. Martin Luther King have on 698 00:21:09,520 --> 00:21:10,819 you at that time? 699 00:21:10,820 --> 00:21:12,779 Well, Martin was an 700 00:21:12,780 --> 00:21:14,299 amazing young man. 701 00:21:14,300 --> 00:21:16,179 He had been sort of thrust in the 702 00:21:16,180 --> 00:21:18,179 leadership. He never really wanted 703 00:21:18,180 --> 00:21:19,999 it. And yet he couldn't get 704 00:21:20,000 --> 00:21:21,099 away from it. 705 00:21:21,100 --> 00:21:23,179 And he was essentially trying 706 00:21:23,180 --> 00:21:25,439 to do something for other people. 707 00:21:25,440 --> 00:21:27,699 That kind of dedication and 708 00:21:27,700 --> 00:21:29,259 the sort of things that he said 709 00:21:29,260 --> 00:21:30,799 matter of factly. 710 00:21:30,800 --> 00:21:32,199 If a person hadn't found something 711 00:21:32,200 --> 00:21:33,399 that they're willing to die for, 712 00:21:33,400 --> 00:21:34,519 they're probably not fit to live 713 00:21:34,520 --> 00:21:35,519 anyway. 714 00:21:35,520 --> 00:21:37,119 You know, somebody dropped that on 715 00:21:37,120 --> 00:21:38,519 you in a joking kind of friendly 716 00:21:38,520 --> 00:21:39,659 conversation. 717 00:21:39,660 --> 00:21:40,919 It makes you think, you know, what 718 00:21:40,920 --> 00:21:43,099 is it that I'm willing to died for? 719 00:21:43,100 --> 00:21:44,939 And you begin to 720 00:21:44,940 --> 00:21:46,499 think about your life and think 721 00:21:46,500 --> 00:21:48,589 about other people in a new way. 722 00:21:48,590 --> 00:21:50,429 I mean, he was amazing that all of 723 00:21:50,430 --> 00:21:52,389 the things that he did, and 724 00:21:52,390 --> 00:21:54,809 he never lived to be 40 years old, 725 00:21:54,810 --> 00:21:56,270 and yet in the midst of it all, he 726 00:21:56,271 --> 00:21:58,589 was still privately 727 00:21:58,590 --> 00:22:01,070 a very easygoing, 728 00:22:02,290 --> 00:22:04,789 a friendly, joking, clowning, 729 00:22:04,790 --> 00:22:05,849 you know, lovable guy. 730 00:22:07,870 --> 00:22:09,869 You can find the full episode of 731 00:22:09,870 --> 00:22:11,709 In Black America with more speeches 732 00:22:11,710 --> 00:22:13,929 from Dr. King wherever you 733 00:22:13,930 --> 00:22:16,469 listen to your podcasts. 734 00:22:16,470 --> 00:22:18,429 And that is it for today's show. 735 00:22:18,430 --> 00:22:19,809 Thank you for kicking off the week 736 00:22:19,810 --> 00:22:22,089 here with us on Austin Signal. 737 00:22:22,090 --> 00:22:23,429 If you have the day off, we hope 738 00:22:23,430 --> 00:22:25,169 you're enjoying yourself out there. 739 00:22:25,170 --> 00:22:26,889 And if you're working like us today, 740 00:22:26,890 --> 00:22:28,829 you got this. You are one 741 00:22:28,830 --> 00:22:31,089 minute closer to getting home. 742 00:22:31,090 --> 00:22:32,769 Thank you to Katy McAfee, Andrew 743 00:22:32,770 --> 00:22:34,669 Weber, Luz Moreno Lozano. 744 00:22:34,670 --> 00:22:35,649 And John L. 745 00:22:35,650 --> 00:22:36,469 Hanson Jr. 746 00:22:36,470 --> 00:22:38,069 For making today's episode a 747 00:22:38,070 --> 00:22:38,849 reality. 748 00:22:38,850 --> 00:22:40,449 And a special shout out to KUT 749 00:22:40,450 --> 00:22:42,289 multimedia journalists, Laurie 750 00:22:42,290 --> 00:22:43,849 Ann Willett and Patricia Lim for 751 00:22:43,850 --> 00:22:45,349 their coverage of the protest this 752 00:22:45,350 --> 00:22:47,349 weekend. You can see their work 753 00:22:47,350 --> 00:22:50,249 on our social media channels. 754 00:22:50,250 --> 00:22:52,309 Rayna Sevilla is Austin Signals 755 00:22:52,310 --> 00:22:54,389 technical director, and Kristen 756 00:22:54,390 --> 00:22:56,229 Cabrera is the 757 00:22:56,230 --> 00:22:58,309 show's managing producer. 758 00:22:58,310 --> 00:23:00,349 I'm Jerry Quijano, I'll keep trying 759 00:23:00,350 --> 00:23:01,349 to talk better. 760 00:23:01,350 --> 00:23:03,529 We'll talk to you tomorrow. 761 00:23:03,530 --> 00:23:04,849 Have a great day, thanks for tuning 762 00:23:04,850 --> 00:23:05,850 in.