Hi, all, and happy Presidents’ Day.

I’d decided to take the day off from the newsletter, as I generally follow the federal holiday schedule, but there is one thing I urge you to do today as it’s extremely time sensitive. Oh, and I also accidentally scheduled a Substack Live at 4PM with the amazing Anat Shenker-Osorio, forgetting it was a holiday. We’re going to go ahead and do it anyway, so please join us if you like! Anat is an American political strategist and messaging consultant. Talking to her about how to talk about our political moment is both fascinating and deeply instructive. I think you’ll enjoy the conversation.

Now onto our one action, which is of life or death importance.

First watch the below video abut a two-month-old baby, Juan Nicolas, who is detained with his mom at Dilley Detention Center in Texas. He is sick, and rapidly growing sicker. As of this writing he has not yet seen a doctor at all. The video below is by an independent reporter named Lidia Terrazas, who seems to be the only journalist covering this story. It has been picked up, however, by online pediatricians, who are sounding the alarm that this baby is in mortal danger without immediate medical treatment.

Please call Dilley Detention Center at 830-378-6500 (as soon as you hear the recorded greeting press zero and you’ll get a receptionist.)

I simply said:

I’m calling to demand that two-month-old Juan Nicolas be immediately released with his mother into the care of a hospital. He is going to die if he’s not seen. Get him medical help now, and get him out of that facility. It’s no place for any child, let alone a baby. Thanks.

Then call your reps, even though their offices will likely be closed today, and leave a message saying:

My name is ______ and I’m a constituent from [zip.] Please ask the Congressmember / Senator to do everything in their power to get Juan Nicolas, the 2-month-old baby in Dilley Detention Center, out of that facility and into a hospital immediately. He is going to die if he isn’t treated. That facility is no place for any child, and especially not for a baby. Get him out of there and shut that place down! Thanks.

If you’re new to this the number to call is 202-224-3121, or look up your representatives’ district office phone numbers on their official websites.

OK, all. Happy President’s day. I hope you get some rest, and that I’ll see some of you on my Live with Anat later today.

OK, you did it again! You’re helping to save democracy! You’re amazing.

Talk soon.

Jess

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