6/22/18
Contact Federal Government Officials
********************************
Many
newspapers, including New York Times and Washington
Post require subscriptions, but without one we can see a few articles
each month. We can also check with our
local libraries to find out how to get online access through them.
1.
The more
conservative (Goodlatte) of the two immigration bills failed in the House
yesterday. The compromise bill
(Ryan/Trump), being a compromise between the center and right factions of the
GOP, has been delayed until today. https://www.politico.com/story/2018/06/21/house-gop-immigration-trump-661214 Let’s call our representatives and tell them
to vote no on Ryan’s bill. It is much too
restrictive and punitive.
2.
In a
very close vote, the House passed the redesigned Farm Bill yesterday. It includes major changes to the SNAP (food stamps)
program. The Senate is working on a bi-partisan
version, which does not include that change.
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/06/21/house-passes-farm-bill-663124 Let’s
tell our senators to continue to leave changes to SNAP out of their version so
as to not put an even bigger burden on our most vulnerable.
3.
Last
night, the House just voted the budget bill out of committee that fast tracks
ACA repeal and $2 trillion in cuts to Medicare and Medicaid. Every amendment
offered by Democrats was rejected. http://thehill.com/policy/finance/393028-house-gop-2019-budget-calls-for-deep-medicare-medicaid-spending-cuts The
vote now goes to the floor. Let’s call
our representatives and tell them to vote no.
This will hurt so many Americans.
4.
Although
we can pause in relief that separation of families at the border will stop (for
now), the news remains grim overall in terms of the 2300 children already
separated and the plans going forward: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jun/20/trump-family-separation-policy-reuniting-ngo-burden and https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jun/20/trumps-cruel-border-policies-created-needless-crisis-far-from-over Let’s be unrelenting with
our MoC that we are not buying the sleight of hand from this administration and
that we expect both reunification and humane treatment for adults and children.
5.
While
the Executive Order signed by the president may curtail future family
separations, current families who are separated have not been grandfathered and
there is still no clear plan to reunite them. HHS has simply stated that they
are waiting for future guidance on the issue. https://www.vox.com/2018/6/20/17486446/family-separation-reunification-trump-executive-order-immigration. Let’s tell the White House and HHS (202-205-5445;
https://www.facebook.com/HHS/; Twitter: @HHS.gov) that this is not good
enough. These families need to be reunited now!
6.
While
Trump has now ordered agencies to return separated children to their parents, the
disheartening truth is that the Trump administration did not have protocols in
place when it instituted its “zero tolerance” policy and children were removed
from parents. Consequently, there is, in
most cases, no paper/digital data to use to comply with the order to return the
children. With years of experience, a clinical
professor at the University of Texas School of Law Immigration Clinic
explains: http://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2018/06/21/family-separation-what-next-immigration-lawyer We
know this is not the fault of the agencies who did not get the needed
information. Let’s tell ICE and DHS that
they need to work together to fix this.
ICE: https://www.usa.gov/federal-agencies/u-s-immigration-and-customs-enforcement and DHS: https://www.usa.gov/federal-agencies/u-s-department-of-homeland-security Let’s
also ask Trump to get this done.
7.
Senator
Jeff Flake (R-AZ) is threatening to withhold his vote from Trump's circuit
court nominees until he gets action from the White House to ease the trade war
and relax travel restrictions to Cuba (https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/20/politics/flake-circuit-court-nominees/index.html). This is a perfect example of what every
single Republican senator can do to check Trump. Let's contact them and tell
them we want them to make similar threats on behalf of detained immigrant kids
and Dreamers. And let's tell our Democratic senators that as long as they have
Jeff Flake's vote in hand, we expect them to hold firm and stay unified in
opposition to every single Republican judicial nominee. Let's keep these folks
off the bench as long as we can.
8.
Year
after year, the federal government reissues contracts to immigrant resettlement
agencies that are plagued by confirmed histories of abuse and neglect of
migrant children. https://www.revealnews.org/article/migrant-children-sent-to-shelters-with-histories-of-abuse-allegations/ and https://www.revealnews.org/blog/immigrant-children-forcibly-injected-with-drugs-lawsuit-claims/ Let’s tell our MoCs we want a congressional
investigation and an end to funding for these agencies.
9.
US
Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) responded to the Supreme
Court’s decision to uphold Ohio’s practice of removing infrequent voters from
the voting rolls by introducing a bill: The Save Voters Act (yet unnumbered),
which will prohibit states from removing people from voter rolls simply because
they didn’t vote or didn’t respond to a state mailing. https://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2018/06/sen_sherrod_brown_drafts_bill.html Let’s
tell senators to co-sponsor this bill, and let’s urge our representatives to
introduce a parallel bill in the House.
10. A new EU law gives Internet users much
stronger control over their personal information has taken effect and
could extend much of that additional protection to Americans as well. The
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) restricts what personal information
may be gathered by online services, and how they must obtain users' consent for
doing so. The law also imposes strong penalties on violators, and international
companies like Facebook will have some incentive to extend protections to all their
users rather than create different services/products for different countries. http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/how-the-gdpr-rules-will-impact-data-protection/ We can only be sure of reaping these benefits
if we pressure Congress to enact laws that complement the GDPR, so let's
make our support for this clear to our MoCs. Tell them we want the same privacy
protections online that Europeans now enjoy.
11.
“White House senior
adviser Stephen Miller has long been one of the driving forces behind President
Donald Trump's harshest immigration policies, including the administration's
"zero tolerance" policy that separates immigrant children from their
families at the US-Mexico border. But the 32-year-old immigration hardliner's
own family were asylum-seekers. Miller's great grandparents found refuge in the
US after escaping anti-Jewish persecution in Antopol, Belarus in 1903, according
to Vanity Fair. The Glossers settled in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and opened a
tailoring business that grew into a department store and large chain, Glosser
Bros., that made Miller's family a fortune.” http://www.businessinsider.com/stephen-miller-immigration-hardliner-is-the-descendent-of-refugees-2018-6 Let’s remind Stephen Miller his family was
granted asylum and what was fair for his family is fair for all asylum seekers.
Tweet him here @StephenMillerAL or contact him at the WH.
12. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Administrator Scott Pruitt spent nearly $3,000 on "tactical pants"
and "tactical polos," according to new disclosures cited Wednesday by
The Intercept. Records obtained by the outlet through the Freedom of Information
Act show that Pruitt spent $2,749.62 on the clothing items as part of his
security expenditures. The disclosures showed that Pruitt spent
a $288,610 on various security items, bringing the total amount of public
money Pruitt has spent on security items to $4.6 million. The amount
marks a $1.1 million increase from the administrator's security costs from
last month, according to the outlet. The director of the
EPA's Office of Criminal Enforcement, Forensics, and Training, Henry
Barnet, told The Hill that the purchases were routine for the department's
security personnel. http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/393373-new-disclosures-show-pruitt-spent-nearly-3k-on-tactical-pants-and?rnd=1529536842 Here is Pruitt stealing more from
us. Let’s call our reps and insist on his dismissal.
13. The Trump administration is scouring military
bases in Texas and Arkansas to find places to dump minor children—either those
who arrived unaccompanied or the 2300+ now deemed “unaccompanied,” having been
separated from their families; the use of such facilities is hardly
unprecedented—Obama used military bases for this purpose in 2014—but it
involves yet another agency, the Defense Department as well as ICE, HHS, and
ORR, in the nightmarish bureaucratic morass of family
reunification:
http://time.com/5317236/family-separation-policy-military-bases/ Let’s suggest that Defense Secretary
Jim Mattis object to putting the DOD in the middle of the havoc of Trump's
"zero tolerance" policy: 703-571-3343 or 1000 Defense Pentagon, Washington
DC 20301-1000
14. Utah Gov. Gary Herbert has told the
White House that he opposes the nomination of Utahn Ron Mortensen to oversee a
State Department program for refugees. Mortensen has ties to an
association dubbed a hate group and he is known for anti-illegal immigration
rhetoric. Let's read more at the Salt Lake Tribune. We can also read a statement of opposition crafted by the
Anti-Defamation League.
Let's not allow this nomination to get lost behind all the other immigration
news and issues. Let's contact our Senators today to let them know we oppose
anti-immigrant nominee Ron Mortenson for State Department. Let's tell them to
listen to Gov. Herbert.
15. Texas sheriff's deputy Jose Nunez is being
held on a charge of "super aggravated sexual assault" of a 4-year-old
girl after authorities say her mother, an undocumented immigrant, was being
blackmailed to stay silent about the abuse or face deportation. Let's read more
at NBCNews. In our current environment, we predict this
type of abuse to increase. Let's use this information in our arguments against
the administration's policies.
Election 2018 – General
An election guide
from Postcards
for America: In this Google doc (updated
regularly), each State shows ALL Democratic Candidates running for Congress,
Governor, Lt Gov, Attorney General, Secretary of State (if applicable) with
links to their websites and Twitter. Each has a link to a Twitter Thread, a
Shareable Facebook Post and a Document. For most States, there are also Info
& Links for Voter Registrations, Absentee Ballots, Early Voting & Voter
ID, Age Requirements and being a Poll Worker. Let’s check
this out and use and share it:
Election 2018 –
By State
1.
Upcoming
voting dates and deadlines:
June 23
|
Oklahoma
|
Early Voting ends
|
Primary
|
|
June 25
|
South Carolina
|
In person absentee voting ends
|
Runoffs
|
|
June 26
|
Colorado
|
Voter Registration Deadline
|
Primary
|
|
June 26
|
Colorado
|
Election date
|
Primary
|
|
June 26
|
Maryland
|
Election date
|
Primary
|
|
June 26
|
New York
|
Election date (Federal primary)
|
Federal primary
|
|
June 26
|
Oklahoma
|
Election date
|
Primary
|
|
June 26
|
Utah
|
Election date
|
Primary
|
|
June 26
|
South Carolina
|
Election date
|
Runoffs
|
|
June 26
|
South Dakota
|
Election date
|
Runoffs
|
|
June 27
|
Rhode Island
|
Filing Deadline
|
||
June 29
|
Minnesota
|
Early voting begins
|
Primary
|
|
June 30
|
Vermont
|
Early voting begins
|
Primary
|
|
June 30
|
Wisconsin
|
In person absentee voting begins
|
Primary
|
(source: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WJiqNAZNlWPSCAvuRpQ5e5dFiC5IY3O3epicrCuHINs/edit#gid=514224366 We can also see this info by state
here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1IMWqHIktIBS7jPxS4mVV1--YKYVa-2yYWjV8QHsi1F4/edit#gid=1798528701)
Other Actions
1.
We all know people who are pretty fond of GOP myths
about what is happening with Trump’s “zero tolerance” policy. This piece provides concise replies to nine
of the favorite myths: https://www.michellemartinauthor.com/my-blog/9-myths-about-trumps-zero-tolerance-policy Let’s use these to help others understand.
2.
From of our own:
RAICES (Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and
Legal Services) needs volunteer
translators "who speak Meso-American indigenous languages (e.g. zapotec,
nahua, ma'am, quich'e, maya, mixe, mixteco-- not Spanish)." Do you
know anybody? They don't need to be in Texas, or even in the US. They can
translate remotely. For more info or to help, email: volunteer@raicestexas.org
3.
"Mandated Reporters," (those of us who
work in medical, educational, therapeutic, and/or coaching relationships with
kids) are required to call when we believe there has been evidence of child
abuse or maltreatment. Traumatizing kids by removing them from their families
will have different potential risks at different ages, but we know there are
lifelong sequelae which may cause profound problems. As long as these
facilities are still in operation, we need to call attention to the damage they
are doing to children. To make such a report for either the Tent City in
Tornillo Texas or Brownsville (also in Texas,) we can call the state's Health
and Human Services 800-252-5400.
4.
Parents, some with children, occupying ICE offices around
the country calling for the swift reunification of children with their families
and an immediate end to Trump’s heartless “zero tolerance” policy. https://www.facebook.com/actdottv/videos/826250027565565/ and https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/portland-ice-protesters-call-for-nationwide-occupations/283-565742358 Let’s find our closest ICE office and join
in: https://www.ice.gov/contact/field-offices
5.
“MyHeritage, the leading international family
history and DNA company, announced today that, following the recent separation
of children from parents in immigrant families in the United States, the
company is expanding its pro bono initiative, DNA Quest — which
helps reunite adoptees with their biological families through DNA testing — to
help those parents who were detained at the border reunite with their children.” https://www.thedailytimes.com/business/myheritage-offers-free-dna-tests-to-help-reunite-separated-migrant/article_254027d3-14be-55be-8080-5b57b674e8ac.html Let’s thank them: https://www.myheritage.com/contact-myheritage or 3 Ariel Sharon Street, 4th Floor, Or Yehuda, 60250 Israel
6.
The NRA tried to hide its “past grades” on
politicians apparently because they thought “our enemies were using that.”
7.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2018/06/20/a-leading-gun-control-group-just-released-nine-years-of-nra-grades-for-politicians/?utm_term=.a4b1f91846ae Everytown for Gun Safety compiled a database,
and now we can see those grades stretching back to 2009. https://everytown.org/nra-grades-archive/ (WaPo made it searchable—see the article)
Let’s make sure to use this list and spread the word about it.
8.
Corey Lewandowski doubled down on Wednesday about
his heartless comment on Tuesday night’s news regarding a 10 year old
child with Down Syndrome separated from her parents: https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/19/politics/corey-lewandowski-undocumented-immigrant-womp-womp/index.html Let’s
take a moment to let Director Mark Gearan of the Harvard Institute of Politics
know that having Lewandowski as a fellow there is a stain on Harvard: The
Institute of Politics, Harvard University, 79 John F. Kennedy Street, Cambridge, MA 02138or harvardiop@gmail.com or on
Twitter @HarvardIOP and @MarkDGearan
9.
“Religious leaders and former judges filed a
complaint on Wednesday asking the Washington D.C. Alcoholic Beverage
Control Board to revoke the Trump International Hotel’s liquor license because
of President Trump’s character. The complaint argues that a D.C. liquor
license can be suspended or revoked if the “true and actual owner" of an
establishment is not a person of "good character." Donald Trump, the
true and actual owner of the Trump International Hotel, is not a person of good
character. The Trump International Hotel nonetheless currently holds a Class
C/H license issued by the Board,” the complaint reads. The group lists lies the
president has told, sexual assault accusations against Trump and alleged racist
acts. They also call out Trump for his “failure to abide by the law
and to repudiate associations with known criminals.”
10.
http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/393282-complaint-asks-dc-to-revoke-trump-hotels-liquor-license-on-grounds-of Let’s tell
the Control Board that we want them to take this seriously: 2000 14th Street, NW, S400, Washington, DC
20009, Phone: (202) 442-4423, Fax: (202)
442-9563, TTY: (746) 777-7776, Alternate Number: Complaint Hotline: (202)
329-6347 (7pm - 3am)
11.
Microsoft's Azure Government cloud computing arm is
working in partnership with ICE, despite the objections of Microsoft employees.
Microsoft has refused to clarify the exact nature of the
"partnership" (https://gizmodo.com/microsoft-employees-up-in-arms-over-cloud-contract-with-1826927803). Regardless,
it's time for us to start making working with ICE toxic. Let's call their
public relations lines and let them know we think they should draw a moral
line. We can reach their national government policy P.R. team at 202-460-1178,
their main public relations line at 425-638-7777, and P.R. official Ryan Conner
at 202-530-4590.
12.
From Postcards from
Kate: The
Facebook fundraiser "Reunite an immigrant parent with their child"
was started by Charlotte and Dave Wilner after they saw a photo of a crying
2-year-old Honduran girl looking up at an immigration officer that made them
think of their own 2-year-old daughter. The money will go to the Refugee and
Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES). They hoped to
raise $1,500 but have now raised over $15 million. Read more here. Let's send them a postcard of thanks via
RAICES: Charlotte and Dave Wilner
c/o RAICES, 4200 South Freeway, Suite 702, Fort Worth, TX 76115
c/o RAICES, 4200 South Freeway, Suite 702, Fort Worth, TX 76115
13.
From Postcards for America: As many of us know, the children who were
taken from their parents at the border have been spread all over the United
States. Since the Federal Government has no plan, the only way that they get
reunified with their parents is if local grassroots step up to help. (So said
Rachel Maddow last night, too.) Some of the parents have, of course, been
deported already, making this task extra difficult. To get this project
started,
Postcards for America is compiling a list of all the facilities where these children are housed, and we can help them do it. We can start by looking locally, in our cities and states for information about any of these Child Detention facilities. Then, when we find the names, address and contact details, we can send them in, so a Master List can be compiled. If we find other people doing the same project, we can send their names and contact information in too.
We can email the Name, Address, Contact Info of each facility we find here: postcardsforAmerica@outlook.com Let’s find these children and help to #KeepFamiliesTogether
Postcards for America is compiling a list of all the facilities where these children are housed, and we can help them do it. We can start by looking locally, in our cities and states for information about any of these Child Detention facilities. Then, when we find the names, address and contact details, we can send them in, so a Master List can be compiled. If we find other people doing the same project, we can send their names and contact information in too.
We can email the Name, Address, Contact Info of each facility we find here: postcardsforAmerica@outlook.com Let’s find these children and help to #KeepFamiliesTogether
14.
Momentum is building in the war against
single-use plastics! This month, a slew of major companies—including SeaWorld parks, American Express, cruise
company Royal Caribbean, IKEA, A&W Canada and Burger King UK—have pledged to
eliminate items such as plastic drinking straws, stirrers, lids and bags in
efforts to protect our oceans and their inhabitants. Let's read
more at Ecowatch. We can
thank the companies above (company names are linked to contact information).
Let's also contact A&W US and Burger
King US to encourage them to join the movement along
with their international counterparts.
Marches/events/webinars/Tweetstorms to
attend/organize
1.
“On Saturday, June 23 the #PoorPeoplesCampaign will be
headed to the US Capitol for a mass rally in Washington, D.C. as part of our
Global Day of Solidarity, rounding out the #40DaysofAction and
launching our next period of movement building for the long haul. The rally
will begin at 10am. Join us as we show our elected leaders we will
no longer allow attention violence to keep poor and disenfranchised people
down! Learn more here: http://bit.ly/MassRallyDC”
2.
Mass civil disobedience action against the family
detention policy at the border on Thursday, June 28, in Washington,
D.C., sponsored by Women’s March and partners. More info here: https://www.endfamilyseparation.us/
3.
On Thursday, June 28, families, advocates,
and allies will hold a rally beginning at 11am in the park across the street
from the Brownsville Federal Court, where immigrants are being prosecuted en
masse for crossing the border into the United States. More information here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1834781589914906/ and here: https://www.aclutx.org/en/events/families-belong-together-rally-border
4.
“On June 29, lawyer moms around the
country are organizing to gather at our senators’ offices and deliver an open
letter stating our opposition to the current federal policy of separating
migrant children from their parents. Each of us would do anything to
keep our children safe. Each of us swore an oath to defend the Constitution. We
will not let this unconscionable practice stand on our watch. Join us. Let's
make some noise.” More info here at Lawyer Moms of America: https://www.facebook.com/events/1308273125973346/
5.
On June 30, thousands across the nation are
organizing with the theme “Families Belong Together -- And Free “to demand
Trump: A) Immediately reverse the
“zero-tolerance” policy which created this crisis, B) Reunite migrant children
with their families. Currently, there is
no plan to reunite thousands of kids with their parents. End the indefinite detention of children
& families, C) We will not tolerate trading children in cages for
indefinite family camps, and D) Donald J. Trump and members of his
administration will be held accountable for this horror. Let’s find an event to
attend or create our own here: https://act.moveon.org/event/families-belong-together/search/
States
1.
ALL: The Network for Public Education
and the Schott Foundation released Grading the
States: A Report Card on Our Nation's Commitment to Public Schools,
the
first in-depth nonpartisan report card to measure each state’s commitment to
democratically governed public schools. It also includes state by state measurement
of whether each state’s charter schools and voucher-funded private schools protect
student civil rights and guard taxpayers from fraud and the misuse of public
funds. Let’s use this information as we
seek to improve our state’s public-school system.
2.
ALL: We know that the GOP is very concerned about
voter fraud and spends much time trying to make sure it doesn’t happen. Despite their concerns, it is not a
significant issue. https://politicalcharge.org/2018/06/21/voter-fraud-the-gops-favorite-myth/ Let’s make sure our state does not fall into
the trap of having to create laws/policies to address a non-issue and make it
harder for folks to vote.
3.
MOST: STATES-MOST: A group of bipartisan governors
from CO, OH, AK, PA, NV, MT, MD, WA, and NC has written to the administration
asking them to reverse their decision on a court filing to overturn Obamacare’s
pre-existing provisions. http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/392850-bipartisan-governors-denounce-trump-move-on-pre-existing-conditions. Let’s ask our
governor to sign on to this appeal. We can get contact information here.
4.
IN: Introducing
FLIP INDIANA, a Facebook group dedicated to winning elections! It's part of a
50-state project that came out of the success of FLIP ALABAMA in helping to get
Doug Jones elected by squeezing every possible vote out of the state. We can
join here, get some new ideas and meet new folks. Together we can turn our
beautiful state Blue, so let’s start getting our country back, state by state!
We can check the group out, then, if we like it, join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FlipIndiana/
5.
MA: It took a lot of
calls and a lot of public outcry before Governor Charlie Baker reversed his
decision and decided not to send the National Guard to the border. https://www.masslive.com/politics/index.ssf/2018/06/gov_charlie_baker_cancels_plan.html. Now, he needs to
be reminded that the president’s Executive Order does nothing to reunite
families already separated and sets steps in motion for children be detained in
jail indefinitely. These issues are deal-breakers for the residents of
Massachusetts and we want him to hold firm in his decision not to let our
National Guard participate in any border operations. We can contact Governor
Baker at 617-725-4005
6.
NY: Introducing FLIP NEW YORK, a Facebook group
dedicated to winning elections! It's part of a 50-state project that came out
of the success of FLIP ALABAMA in helping to get Doug Jones elected by
squeezing every possible vote out of the state. We can join here, get some new
ideas and meet new folks. Together we can turn our beautiful state the Bluest
it’s ever been, so let’s start getting our country back, state by state! We can
check the group out, then, if we like it, join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FlipNewYork/
7.
NC: Introducing FLIP NORTH CAROLINA, a Facebook
group dedicated to winning elections! It's part of a 50-state project that came
out of the success of FLIP ALABAMA in helping to get Doug Jones elected by
squeezing every possible vote out of the state. We can join here, get some new
ideas and meet new folks. Together we can turn our beautiful state Blue, so
let’s start getting our country back, state by state! We can check the group
out, then, if we like it, join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FlipNorthCarolina/
8.
RI: Introducing FLIP RHODE ISLAND, a Facebook
group dedicated to winning elections! It's part of a 50-state project that came
out of the success of FLIP ALABAMA in helping to get Doug Jones elected by
squeezing every possible vote out of the state. We can join here, get some new
ideas and meet new folks. Together we can turn our beautiful state the Bluest
it’s ever been, so let’s start getting our country back, state by state! We can
check the group out, then, if we like it, join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FlipRhodeIsland/
Reading/Watching
1.
“The Story Behind TIME's Trump 'Welcome to America' Cover” - http://time.com/5317522/donald-trump-border-cover
2.
Confused
about what the Executive Order Trump signed today means? Does it help or hurt?
This is a must-read thread and explainer of the EO by Anil Kalhan,
"an Associate Professor of Law at the Drexel University Thomas R. Kline
School of Law and chair of the New
York City Bar Association’s International Human Rights Committee."
He is a specialist on immigration law, and the bottom line of his excellently
sourced thread is: "DO NOT CONGRATULATE" Trump for anything. https://twitter.com/kalhan/status/1009584753937350657
3.
Stephen Colbert:
“Trump's Executive Order To Undo An Executive Failure” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeZl_b1SDfo
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