Brandon bernard

Our justice system is messed up.

Brandon Bernard, may he rest in power, was executed on December 10, 2020, at 9:27 pm by lethal injection by the federal government of the United States. This was murder, just because it was government sanctioned, it doesn’t take away from the fact that it was murder.

Brandon Bernard was 18 years old when he was sentenced to death for a crime committed in 1999, the government and jurors had an incomplete picture of Brandon and what he did. Stacie and Todd Bagley were the couple who was shot and murdered by Christopher Vialva (executed on September). Bernard was tasked with getting rid of the evidence by burning the couple’s car. He didn’t have a leading role in the crime. The couple was dead before this fire. I’m not excusing what Bernard did, it was wrong, and it was bad. However, Brandon did not deserve to be put to death.

Brandon was a father of two daughters. He was a son. He only saw his family through a glass wall. Throughout his 20 years of incarceration, he demonstrated positive behavior, he changed his behavior for the better, and helped at risk youth with the intention of leading them away from going down the wrong path. 5 of the 9 jurors (the same ones from 20 years ago) regret their prior decision to sentence him to death.

“Bernard’s last words, which were more than three minutes long, were directed to the Bagley family, according to the pool reporter present at the execution. “I’m sorry,” he said. “That’s the only words that I can say that completely capture how I feel now and how I felt that day.” ( CBSNEWS )

If these are my last days… I hope that my death will bring a meaning other than destruction and it will ripple through generations positively.

– BRANDON BERNARD

It’s important to remember that Brandon Bernard’s case is not a one time thing. It’s the system that we currently have that make POC in this line of fire of injustice and inhumane treatment. We need to keep on fighting and keep on putting our voices out there to change this. We need to keep educating ourselves and helping each other in whatever way we can. Spreading the word, sighing a petition, making a call, being vocal, keep on keeping on to help in creating a positive change. There’s already so much pain and hurt and hardship that’s been affecting everyone especially this year. Your voice is heard and what you do is important. No justice, no peace.

Coronavirus Update

Coronavirus is a large family of viruses that causes illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe cases. It causes infections in the nose, sinuses, and upper throat. There is currently still no cure, but it is ongoing to be found. However, it is realistically said that a cure would have to undergo so many other processes that it may take a year or more until it goes out. What is happening though, is that doctors are trying to strengthen the people infected 

The virus is known to have taken 300 lives in China, infected more than 7,000 people, and spread to more than 23 countries. The numbers are increasing as time passes. It is said the there are more than 100,000 cases and it may turn into a pandemic. Just recently, a man in the Philippines has died from the coronavirus. This is supposedly the first outside of China. Stores in countries are starting to go out of stock for masks. 

Safety Tips:

• Clean hands with soap and water
• Bring with you alcohol-based rub ever you go
• Avoid touching surfaces where many people have gone
• When sneezing or coughing, cover mouth with tissues or flexed elbow
• Avoid close contact with people who have a cold or flu-like symptoms
• Cook meat and eggs thoroughly
• Avoid contact with wild or farm animals
• Get a proper face mask for the virus

stay safe guys ❤

 

Rivers and Hope

Quote of AWESOMENESS: “Everything that is done in this world is done with hope.” – Martin Luther 

Interesting title, I know. But, wait! Give me just a moment of your time so that I could share with you what I find very motivating and true. Have you ever heard of the Hudson River? It is actually a river named after Henry Hudson, the man who sailed up from the Atlantic Ocean in 1609 as he searched for a new route to Asia. It is about a 300-mile river stretching from the Adirondack Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean. In between the two points, one may notice that the Hudson neighbors communities of New Jersey, Mount Vernon, Manhattan Islands, and more. 

The Hudson has had its past and ongoing situation with the environment. Back in the 1800s, the industrial era left something behind in the river. There was this human-made compound known as polychlorinated biphenyls (a.k.a PCBs) which were good electrical insulators, used to prevent fires in electrical transformers and capacitors, and considered safe. There were hundreds to millions of PCB deposited by the established manufacturing plants in the river and mixed with the sediments. In the 1970s, it was a downfall. PCBs had proven to cause liver disease, suspect to a carcinogen in humans, and health effects like low birth weight and some immune system disorders. The fish and wildlife around were also being negatively affected. Commercial fishing was banned (the manufacturing plants took the blame) and it was said that the fishing industry and that culture that has been present for centuries was destroyed at that river valley. EPA then banned PCB. However, by that time, there was a lot of work that needed to be done to make the river better again. 

In 2009, a cleanup began. Thousands of samples were taken. A process called dredging was being done to remove the sediment contaminated with PCB. This was completed in 2015. The second phase of cleanup was then approved. Programs and monitoring have become more strict. The Hudson River seems to have a positive outlook as its cleanup and preservation strives on. Many people, just like you and me, made personal sacrifices whether it be a career, reputation or livelihood, to do what they can to protect the river. Environmentalists, activists, and even a folksinger joined together in organizations to fight to protect the river, to educate those, to eliminate pollution, and more. Clearwater and Scenic Hudson are both active organizations that had a big impact on helping the Hudson River. 

What does this all mean? What’s the big picture? Why did you read this story? I’ll tell you. This river represents the many environmental problems that we have seen risen up today. Maybe it’s an actual river (like the one in the Philippines called Pasig River), the fires that come roaring, corals dying, or the plastic and trash issues that come to slap us in the face. Yes, it looks like such a big problem that it doesn’t seem like one such even bother to try something because it might be too small a difference. BUT YOU SHOULD BOTHER. You should have that turning in your stomach that makes you feel like the environmental problem is bad. Because it is bad and it’s growing. You should feel so fired up that you can’t just sit around and do nothing. Right now, the hope that this world has is me, you and every individual. It starts with you. You can keep going forward to fight for the environment. No matter how small. Spread the word, write, paint, create a movement, dance. Just DO SOMETHING that can help in contributing to helping the environment. Some people might laugh, some people might say no when you try to tell them. It’s okay, suck it up, and keep going because at least you tried and you keep trying. That’s what counts. And, how do I know if this will work? Because the Hudson River shows that when we come together, no matter what the situation may look like, we can make a difference in sustainability and the environment. 

Yours truly,

L.O.A.S.H

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© Elizabeth Anne Villoria

Yellow Vest Movement Ongoing

Quote of TRUTH: “Protest beyond the law is not a departure from democracy; it is absolutely essential to it.” – Howard Zinn

The yellow vest movement in France started with the increase in fuel taxes which President Emmanuel Macron announced to go in effect in January 1, 2019. This was part of his strategy for his environmental policy. However, as time has passed, the uproar for the repeal of the tax has become much broader. This protest began on November 17, 2018 and is still ongoing till this day, April 3, 2019. 

 

Yellow Vests?

Yes, yellow vest. This movement got its name by the yellow vests that vehicles are required to have. During foggy seasons or times when it’s hard to see anything, and someone is parked on the side of the road, these yellow vests must be worn to be seen to avoid accidents. Now, these vests are the symbol for the protest ongoing for the unjust charges and taxes. 

What’s the goal?

At the beginning, the goal of the protests would be to cut down the over taxing. But now more and more problems have been brought up into the light that people are trying to fix. All in all the big picture would be social justice that is trying to be achieved through this movement. 

 

What’s been happening?

Thousands and thousands of people have turned up, put on their yellow vests, and filled the streets in support of the movement. Compared to other areas, it has become violent. In Paris, stores have been looted, cars set on fire, walls vandalized, and hundreds have become injured. Hundreds have also been taken into custody. The police have resorted to throwing tear gas and water cannons at the crowds. 

President Macron will have to find a way to fix the protests and calm down the anger that has spread. Hopefully, this problem will soon be resolved.

Yours truly,

L.O.A.S.H

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© Elizabeth Anne Villoria