“An insult to Emma’s memory” | News

A
tragedy turned a backdrop for political theater Wednesday as Kristi Noem, a part of
President Donald Trump’s cupboard, spoke close to the house of Emma Shafer, a girl
police imagine was killed by a Mexican immigrant.

“Governors like JB Pritzker don’t care if gangbangers, if
murderers, rapists and pedophiles roll free in his state,” the Homeland Safety
secretary instructed reporters close to the house the place Shafer was slain. “If they’re
right here illegally, he’s going to guard them.”

Springfield police suspect Shafer, 24, was stabbed to dying
in July 2023 by her ex-boyfriend, Gabriel Calixto-Pichardo, who was born in
Mexico and dropped at the U.S. by his mom as a toddler.

“His immigration standing had nothing to do with what occurred
to Emma,” Abigail Robinson, one among Shafer’s closest associates, instructed Illinois
Occasions.

Family and friends of Shafer bristled at Noem utilizing Shafer’s
reminiscence to bolster Trump’s deportation insurance policies.

Her mother and father, Cathy
Schwartz and John Shafer, stated in a written assertion, “Noem’s phrases are
in direct battle with who Emma was as an individual. Emma constructed up group and
stood with all members, together with immigrants.”

Sherman native Annie
Fulgenzi, a good friend of Shafer’s, stated Noem’s actions had been void of empathy.

“Emma would by no means have
wished for use as a political prop. It’s simply so horrifying, particularly for
one thing that Emma would by no means help – even with what occurred to her. What
occurred was about that one man. It would not signify a complete group of individuals
or each immigrant on this nation. And it is actually gross to see her story used
as whether it is consultant.”

Springfield lawyer and
Trump supporter Kent Grey was amongst these current for Noem’s remarks.

“I can not even start to
think about dropping a toddler, particularly in that method. And I believe a whole lot of
Republicans and conservatives in Springfield have somewhat little bit of confusion
about what the help is for unlawful immigration, particularly when it is a
potential end result, though uncommon,” he stated.

Grey stated he’s underneath
consideration by the Trump administration to be appointed U.S. Lawyer for
Central Illinois. 

Noem’s 20-minute information
convention close to Eighth and Canedy streets ended when protesters arrived.

Protesters had initially
gathered throughout from the Governor’s Mansion, the place Noem had been anticipated to
converse. As phrase unfold that Noem was holding her press convention at a distinct
location, a few of the protesters left to search out her.

“How dare you utilize Emma
on your racist agenda,” shouted Francesca Butler, who knew Shafer as a fellow Springfield group activist.

Later
she instructed IT, “Sadly, Emma died as a result of a person noticed her as an
object. And I believe the identical precise factor is going on in her dying, which is
why it is so unacceptable. Once more, she is getting used as an object to place ahead
the agenda of somebody.”

Butler
added her good friend was against Trump’s insurance policies and would by no means have supported
his deportation agenda.

Calixto-Pichardo has been charged with
three counts of first-degree homicide and one depend of aggravated home
battery in Shafer’s dying, however not apprehended. Shortly after Shafer’s
murder, Police Chief Ken Scarlette instructed the State Journal-Register there
was indication that he could have returned to Mexico.    

Throughout the information convention,
Noem waved a wished poster for Calixto-Pichardo and stated as a result of he had a
earlier felony on his document, he ought to have been deported instantly after
he was launched from custody.

Noem claimed her workers had reached out to Shafer’s household, asking
them to attend the information convention, however she stated they didn’t get a response.

Noem appeared unphased when a reporter instructed her that Shafer’s
mom was blocks away at that second protesting with about 300 different folks in opposition to
Noem’s Springfield look.

“You realize one of the best reply I’ve for why a ravishing,
vibrant girl can be used for his or her political finish is that they only do not
know us,” Butler stated. “As a result of if that they had any data of our group at
all, I do not assume they’d’ve used her title.”

Robinson added Noem was uncaring about how her phrases would
have an effect on others.

“I assume that it was accomplished with such carelessness and such
political need to get forward that they did not even take into consideration how it could
have an effect on Emma’s household or Emma’s associates or the group itself. They had been simply
spreading lies and so they had been utilizing Emma in a means that I by no means thought that
folks would,” she stated.

In response to Noem, Pritzker launched this assertion:
“Not like Donald Trump and Kristi Noem, Illinois follows the legislation. ​The Trump
Administration is violating america Structure, denying folks due
course of and disappearing law-abiding neighbors – together with youngsters who’re
U.S. residents. But, they’re taking no actual motion to advertise public security and
deport violent criminals inside the clear and outlined authorized course of. Trump-Noem
publicity stunts don’t make our communities safer or our immigration system
smarter.”

Of their assertion, Shafer’s mother and father stated of their daughter, “She devoted her
life – her profession and her free time – to causes of social justice and fairness.
That was simply who she was. To see her utilized by Secretary Noem and others to
advance a merciless and heartless political agenda isn’t just deeply painful to us
– it’s an insult to her reminiscence.”