Being American: Daughters of the American Revolution, Seeking Asylum, Release of Bill Cosby

On this Independence Day weekend Local Talk, Ames native Cynthia Gaunt describes being from a family that dates back to colonial American times and early farmers of the Midwest, including being a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Then Licida Membreno, a newly arrived immigrant seeking asylum in the US, describes journeying with her son, from a long-standing indigenous family in Honduras to Ames, Iowa. Ms. Membreno is accompanied by David Hansen, Chair of Ames Sanctuary Interfaith Partners (ASIP), a local organization of people who helped her come to Iowa. Hansen describes some of the work ASIP does. 

Matty Tate-Smith, Public Affairs Coordinator for the Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault responds to the release of Bill Cosby who was in prison for sex crimes, using this teachable moment to look at the consequences, as well as how the release exemplifies the overall dynamics of sexual assault as criminally abusive behavior.