Killing the DREAM Amendment

Joshua Lott for The New York Times

When we talk about putting it on the line in the name of social justice, people who come to mind these days include those in the military who have publicly out-ed themselves to protest DADT, and immigrant youths who have lived in the U.S. for five years or more who have self-identified in the name of the right to residency and completion of their education.

I’m happy for the chance to finally post this photo taken last May. It shows five students occupying John McCain’s office in Tucson, four of whom — from left, Tania Unzueta, Lizbeth Mateo and Yahaira Carrillo, of Mexico, and Mohammad Abdollahi of Iran — were arrested for trespassing. The purpose of the action was to advocate for the bi-partisan DREAM act which McCain — until he went over to the dark side in the name of re-election — has sponsored for years.

By the way, you’re familiar with the “tassel turning” ritual?  As soon as a student graduates, he or she marks the accomplishment by turning the tassel of their cap from the right side to the left.  Well, check out the tassels. I should add, Raúl Alcaraz, from Mexico (far right), is the only one in the photo who is a legal resident of the U.S.

Both DADT and the DREAM act are scheduled for votes today as part of the defense authorization bill.

Update: The bill is dead.

DREAM Act, DADT will be in defense authorization, McCain in full outrage mode (DKos)