Zoe McIntyre

This evening, roughly 400 people gathered on Springfield's city square to protest the White House's new immigration and deportation policies. The event was organized by Springfield's branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL). Lucy Mayfield, the branch’s media spokesperson, said, "This event was [organized] to show solidarity and welcoming to our immigrant community here in Springfield." The event drew a larger crowd than any other protest PSL has hosted since 2022. "I think [the turnout] really shows a heart in our community to be welcoming," Mayfield said.

Tonya Claiborne, another branch organizer, explained that PSL's goal is "to form a movement of people that believe we need to do things differently, to build a system that meets people's needs [and] not the profits of the ruling class." She added, "It's important to unite the working class, and that includes immigrants."

Missouri State University freshman Stephanie attended the protest with friends. "I am an immigrant myself. My parents came here, and this is very close to home," she said. Stephanie is currently studying economics and plans to attend law school and become an immigration attorney.

#417

E-cigarette companies confuse consumers by calling single-use v**e products, which are hazardous waste, "disposable." Here in Springfield, smoke shop staff express that they are aware the devices create pollution — but many do not know how to advise customers on safe disposal practices.

Some local businesses reported that they collect used v**es in cardboard boxes behind the counter, because they want to avoid putting v**es in the landfill but do not have a convenient recycling option. Collections of v**es may leak hazardous materials and even pose a fire risk.

Did you know that lithium is a finite natural resource? The amount of lithium that Americans discard each year in v**e devices alone could power up to 6,000 electric cars, according to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism.

Did you know there is no such thing as a “disposable” v**e? Vapes marketed as “disposable” are more popular than ever, but many consumers don’t realize that v**es are hazardous waste. These products should never enter the landfill — despite what the marketing says. Visit the link in my bio for the full story. #417