š What the Venezuelans Deported to El Salvador Experienced | TIME
The intake began with slaps. One young man sobbed when a guard pushed him to the floor. He said, āIām not a gang member. Iām gay. Iām a barber.ā I believed him. But maybe itās only because he didnāt look like what I had expectedāhe wasnāt a tattooed monster.
The men were pulled from the buses so fast the guards couldnāt keep pace. Chained at their ankles and wrists, they stumbled and fell, some guards falling to the ground with them. With each fall came a kick, a slap, a shove. The guards grabbed necks and pushed bodies into the sides of the buses as they forced the detainees forward. There was no blood, but the violence had rhythm, like a theater of fear.
It will happen to us soon. To you and me. Have no doubt about it. Unless you fight for democracy, rule of law and due process.