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Connect the World
Del Rio Mayor: 2,190 Remain at Camp on U.S./Mexico Border; Haitian Ambassador: We Expect Dignity and Due Process from U.S.; Kabul Imam Calls those who Worked with Foreigners "Spies"; Report: Huawei CFO may soon be Released from Canada; CNN Speaks to UK Women's Equality Party Leader; Congressional Black Caucus Member Speaks to CNN. Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired September 26, 2021 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[11:00:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANNOUNCER: Live from CNN, Abu Dhabi. This is "Connect the World" with Becky Anderson.
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST, CONNECT THE WORLD: Well, a week is a long time in politics and for Joe Biden's Presidency this past seven days could just
turn out to be the most consequential of his term to date. More on his challenges both at home and abroad in this second hour of "Connect the
World".
Today the U.S. President waging a broad diplomatic offensive against China, this hour he's meeting with India's Prime Minister at White House and a few
hours from now the Prime Ministers of Japan and Australia will join them there for a meeting of the so called "Quad".
Now the summit's title lays out in no uncertain terms what this meeting is about countering China much more on that ahead. First though, so I want to
get you to America's southern border. Because the number of migrants at a camp along the U.S./Mexico border is quickly shrinking but concern over
their futures is growing.
The Mayor of Del Rio, Texas says about 2200 migrants remain at the camp living in conditions United Nations Refugee Chief this week called
"Deplorable". Filippo Grandi also criticizing the U.S. for mass expulsions without screening for protection needs saying the policy violates
international norms and must change.
Well, this last hour U.S. President Joe Biden responded to criticism of videos that show aggressive tactics on migrants by U.S. law enforcement on
horseback near the border. Have a listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: It's outrageous. I promise you, those people will pay. They will be an investigation underway now and
there will be consequences. There will be consequences. It's an embarrassment but beyond an embarrassment it's dangerous, it's wrong. It
sends the wrong message around the world. It sends the wrong message at home. It's simply not who we are.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, Melissa Bell is in the Capital of Port-au-Prince in Haiti and on either side of the border Matt Rivers is in Ciudad Akuna in Mexico,
and Josh Campbell is in Del Rio in Texas. And Josh, let me just start with you. The President, the U.S. President saying he takes responsibility, he
said, I'm the president. It's my responsibility. Just what is going on where you are?
JOSH CAMPBELL, CNN SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, this issue has become politically fraught in a way for the White House because President
Joe Biden is receiving criticism from parts of his own party, the Democratic Party.
People who have been aghast at the idea that the United States would send Haitian migrants back to a nation that remains in a state of political and
economic turmoil. And that has been the key issue that you have people some of them haven't been to Haiti, and over a decade, they've been in Central
and South America.
And so what he's been hearing from his own party and others is to just do act out of a humanitarian purpose to say, well, maybe we shouldn't send
them back to a place where they'll be even worse off. And so what we're hearing from him is really on defense, especially as it relates to what's
happening here at this Del Rio International Bridge.
I'll take you to our live drone video. Here you can see a boss coming up here to this International Bridge. This has been part of a pattern that
we've seen these caravans after caravans of buses coming up to this location.
Taking these migrants out from underneath this bridge at one point it swelled up to over 14,000 of these migrants primarily Haitian as of today,
right now, it's just over 2000. We know that there have been many of these repatriation flights as they move people out for processing.
Now that's the aerial view, I'm going to show you what it's like right now on the ground. We just got these photos in from a source there near the
camp inside the secure perimeter. You can see it's much different than what the camp looked like just days ago.
Remember before we saw thousands and thousands of people packed in as of yesterday, they started actually raising some of these makeshift tents that
were set up, they brought in construction equipment to try to get clean up that area.
So it looking much different than it did before. And finally, just to give you a sense of what the transport is like for these migrants, as of
yesterday, there were five of these repatriation flights from the United States. Two points in Haiti, some 548 people repatriated.
Since Sunday, that brings a total of 17 flights. So you can see U.S. government moving very quickly to move migrants out of the United States
back to their nations of origin. We are told by the Department of Homeland Security that a very small number of these migrants have been allowed to
stay in the United States for two main reasons.
First, if they make a claim of asylum that the U.S. government sees as legitimate, then they will stay and they will get a hearing in front of an
immigration judge. But secondly, the date Secretary tells CNN that some of these migrants have been in medical distress whenever they arrived.
[11:05:00]
CAMPBELL: So of course, the United States rendering medical care there. But as this camp is cleared out that doesn't move the administration out of the
target zone when it comes to politics, because they continue to see that criticism again, for members of the president's own party who are aghast at
the way the situation has been handled back.
ANDERSON: So Matt, what sort of physical and mental condition are these people, these men, women and kids on your side of the border? And what are
they telling you about what they do next?
MATT RIVERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I think these people are exhausted Becky, there's no question. I mean, as Josh was saying, a lot of these people left
Haiti a long time ago. And they started making this journey within the last, let's say, a year or so many people coming all the way from South
America, the journey itself is one of the most dangerous in the world requiring trekking through the jungles of Colombia, and Panama, up into
Central America.
I spoke to one man live on TV yesterday, who said that he was walking for three months just to get here. And when they get here, you know, there are
no running water facilities here. There's not - this is not a comfortable place. It's dusty. It's incredibly hot. There are no chairs, there's no
furniture, there's no way to be comfortable.
And yet this is - they're so close to where they wanted to get to. So I think mentally speaking with the migrants that we spoke to, people are just
exhausted. They're absolutely exhausted. They're hopeful in some sense that they can still get into the United States, or, as some have decided, stay
in Mexico and make a life for themselves here.
But people are just exhausted after this entire journey Becky. I can tell you, there was a choice that basically all these migrants have had to make.
Are they going to stay in Mexico? Or are they going to go to the United States? I think the vast number of people have chosen to go to the United
States and get processed over there.
But there are some people who told us that the conditions in that encampment in the U.S. over the past few days were so bad that they
couldn't take it and they just stopped here in Mexico and are going to go through the asylum process here in Mexico.
We know according to the latest official numbers from Mexico's government, roughly 600 Haitian migrants remain in Mexico, the Department of Homeland
Security said that several 1000 people who were at least at one point in that encampment, further up the river behind me went back to Mexico.
We asked Mexican immigration officials about that this morning, and they say they have no information about that. So clearly, it seems like Mexico
doesn't have a full accounting of exactly how many Haitians have come back into Mexico. But the ones that they do have accounted for they say they're
processing through their normal immigration channels. And that's the choice that these migrants have made.
ANDERSON: Well, it's a choice for the adults of course; it's not a choice really for the kids, is it? I know you've been speaking to some of the kids
who aren't there. And we've just been seeing images of some of the women and kids wading through that water. What are the children been telling you?
RIVERS: You know, we my producer - and I hear we had a conversation yesterday with a four year old named Noel (ph), he came up to us in the
camp and like all little kids do, you know, he wanted to show us this fire truck. That was his prized possession.
And we just chatted with him for a little bit. He had come from Chile, he spoke Spanish to us. And he came with his family on that trip from Chile.
He's never been to Haiti. He was born in Chile. But his family couldn't find work. So they made their way all the way up here.
And just yesterday, we saw him on his dad's shoulders crossing this river behind us into United States. And we don't know what happened to him on the
other side. But to your point, you know, the kids don't have any - I mean, if these kids that kid Noel, it gets - sent back to Haiti, he's never been
to Haiti.
He probably doesn't speak great - because he's grown up around people who speak Spanish. So for him, that's going to be an entire change of pace. You
can imagine what this child has gone through in just four short years on this earth.
You know, having gone through the journey, walking months just to get here only to be deported back to a country he's never been to before. And that
is not a unique story. Unfortunately, that is a story repeated over and over again, on both sides of this border.
ANDERSON: Josh, take a listen to what Haiti's Ambassador to the U.S. told CNN earlier.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BOCCHIT EDMOND, HAITIAN AMBASSADOR TO THE U.S.: The only thing we are asking is to respect the dignity of any persons. We got less way from, but
that's the most important issue. The dignity and the rights, I believe, and every society, someone has a due process. And those are values that are
being championed by the United States for years. So that's what - expect from the United States.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: White House Spokeswoman Jen Psaki was asked about what was going on at the border Josh and she called for congressional action she said I
paraphrase here.
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ANDERSON: We need to pass a new immigration law. We've seen a lot of critical speeches by Republicans about what's going on with the border, she
said, but what we haven't seen is a plan proposed. And that's what we really need to do to address this over the long term.
There will be those who say that Jen Psaki is quite frankly, pushing the can down the road with a statement like that, because what is happening at
the border today, is what people are most concerned about, correct?
CAMPBELL: That's right. I mean, when you talk about immigration policy, it's obviously an intricate topic. And there are different solutions.
There's the immediate solution, which some would describe as easier, and that is to reinforce this border, which we've seen.
We've seen hundreds and hundreds of law enforcement officers brought here, National Guard members brought here the Texas Governor has actually set up
a line of police vehicles, he's calling the barrier of steel, and that is to keep people from coming into the country.
That's the easy solution; you can bring in the hardware. But what we're hearing from critics of the administration, not just this administration,
but the last administration as well is that they're not doing enough to tackle the hard problems.
And that is how do you address the concerns of migrants that caused them to want to seek a better life? How do you address those concerns in the places
that they are? And in fact, you know, we've asked the White House, we've asked for one security.
I asked the Texas Governor here personally, what are you doing, for example, to talk to officials in Mexico to try to perhaps stop the flow of
migrants or to address against some of these concerns that we're seeing in Central America and South America in Haiti, and we don't really get those
fulsome answers.
People want to, I think posture themselves, because there's, you know, obviously, they're obviously always elections happening here in the United
States. And it's easy to say that you're tough on crime that you're tough on the border, and you have these compelling images of people in uniform
here securing the place.
But we don't see officials really addressing those key concerns. And as you mentioned, that is why we get in this situation of kicking the can down the
road, and no one actually focuses the effort, at least to a degree that will actually stop this crisis that we're seeing continue here, not just
with this migrant camp, but there will be more that come because we're hearing that there are thousands more migrants that may be seeking to make
their way to the U.S. southern border.
ANDERSON: Josh Campbell and Matt Rivers to both of you thank you very much indeed. And in a few minutes, I'll be connecting you with a member of the
U.S. Congressional Black Caucus, Louisiana Congressman Troy Carter; about exactly what Josh was talking about there and on how he plans to take
action over the behavior of some of the border patrol officers?
Well, the White House, meantime getting ready to start a new diplomatic effort to counter China. Soon the leaders of Australia Japan and India will
meet with Mr. Biden the "Quad" as it is known, and has been criticized by Beijing for pushing what he calls a "Cold War Mentality".
Well, all this comes is Mr. Biden's foreign policy plans falter elsewhere in the world. Here's what the U.S. Secretary of State, though had to say on
all of this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KYLIE ATWOOD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: There's been a tremendous amount of criticism of the Biden Administration's handling of multiple foreign policy
issues recently, the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, this new security agreement between Australia, the U.S. and the UK that enraged the French,
the border crisis, the refugees from Haiti, stunted Iran deal talks. It appears the administration has mismanaged a lot of these issues. And what's
your response to that?
ANTONY BLINKEN, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: Look, we could spend time talking about each of the each of the specifics you referenced, but what I've heard
here this week, especially in the wake of the president's speech, was a very strong and view almost across the board with everyone that I spoke to
about their appreciation and their support for the vision that President Biden put forward in speaking to the General Assembly.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, what was certainly the position of Antony Blinken, in answer to a question from CNN's Kylie Atwood? David Culver has reaction on
today's meeting in the White House. David is in Shenzhen, in China today. And Beijing, suggesting that this "Quad" is known is exhibiting the -
entire all the sort of whiff of a Cold War mentality at this point, just explains.
DAVID CULVER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: They love going back to that phrase, Becky, and it's interesting to say that there's reaction to the meeting,
when there hasn't even yet been a meeting. But to your point, China has been building on this narrative for several months now and that is
portraying the U.S. as really the aggressor in trying to contain China.
[11:15:00]
CULVER: And they're also looking at those who are aligned themselves with the United States. In this case, the members of the "Quad" Australia,
Japan, India, and in one Global Times state run tabloid, right today, they suggested that anyone who can align themselves with the United States will
end up being dumped like trash. That's exactly how they worded it.
They go on to warn that those who perhaps will be part of the U.S.'s growing aggression towards China will end up as cannon fodder. So they're
using very strong rhetoric. And some may say they're not only suggesting that folks who are allies with the U.S. will regret it because of their own
economic or even political reasons.
But also, they seem to threaten some of these nations who want to as they say it threatened and challenged China. There's so many issues that they
have to cover in this meeting. I mean, Afghanistan is one of them just from a regional issue but then just looking at China itself.
And looking at the other countries that border India in particular, going back just last year, they had border disputes with China that even ended up
in about 20 or so lives of Indian soldiers being taken in that confrontation.
Go over to the other side of the East in the South China Sea, you've got a range of conflicts, at least in growing tensions there, you've got the U.S.
sailing several naval vessels on near daily occasions, it feels these freedom of navigation exercises, China does not like that. They
consistently push back against that.
And they in turn, have been flying fighters and bombers over Taiwan, what they believe to be part of their sovereign territory. That is an issue that
also has concerned Japan. So the "Quad" here is very much focused on what they consider to be a strategic partnership. And while it's not officially
a military pack, it's increasingly taking that image.
And it's something that, especially in recent weeks, given the AUKUS announcement that is the Australia UK and U.S., focusing on nuclear power
subs and other technologies being transferred from the U.S. to Australia. It's becoming heavily focused on the Indo Pacific.
And it's something that China has believed to be an aggression and something that they will not stand for. That's certainly how they're
portraying it in rhetoric, and they're trying to also use propaganda here, Becky, to suggest to the rest of the world be careful if you align yourself
with the U.S., this will not end well for you.
ANDERSON: David Culver is in Shenzhen. David, thank you. Well, the U.S. may be short of Afghanistan, at least in terms of its military presence and
last hour once again, Joe Biden making no apologies for that but a scary warning today for Afghans who helped the U.S. before the Taliban takeover.
During his Friday settlement, the Imam of Kabul's largest mosque called for retribution against anyone who helped foreigners as he called them. And he
added those Afghans who did worked with foreigners should be considered spies CNN's Nic Robertson, following developments for you in Kabul, Nic?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Very strong language used Becky in not only was he calling people who worked with the United
States and others spies, but he said they were essentially outside of Islam, they were not Muslims anymore, they were "Kafirs" is how he
described them, revenge should be taken revenge that he quickly described as through Islamic education.
So not quite clear what he meant. But this is powerful language for anyone listening in this city, because it sends a chill that if you were connected
with the United States, or any of the other countries that were part of the sort of NATO alliance here, propping up the last government, therefore you
are looked upon with suspicion, you are potentially an enemy of the people. That's pretty tough and strong language.
What the Imam also went on to say was that the United States was only here not out of the interests of the Afghan people, which is what the United
States had maintained. And what many European leaders had said and what many people here believe.
But saying that actually these nations were here just to exploit the country to get an extract what they could in terms of wealth for them from
Afghanistan. So this is very a clearly a defining message to send to the Afghans that the Taliban are going to be completely different. They're not
going to have any truck with the United States or any of their previous partners, other than they've said that they want diplomatic relations with
them.
So it's something of a mixed message, but I think when you hear it coming from the Imams at the main mosque on Friday, this is a message for the
people here is not per se a message for the international community, which is that they're ready for diplomatic engagement, particularly to unfreeze
international assets to help the economy here Becky.
[11:20:00]
ANDERSON: Thank you Nic. Nic's in Kabul for you folks. Just ahead on "Connect the World" these images sparking condemnation across the globe.
The U.S. Congressional Black Caucus wants action. I'll be joined by one of its members, Louisiana Congressman Troy Carter.
And we're live in London as mourners get ready to pay tribute to Sabina Nessa how her killing is sparking fresh debate over the media's coverage of
victims of color?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: The community of Kidbrooke in Southeast London will gathered tonight more than elementary school teacher who was killed last Friday.
Police say 28-year-old Sabina Nessa was attacked as she was walking just minutes from her home.
This candlelit vigil is scheduled to take place about three hours from now. Police have one male suspect in custody and they're asking the public for
help in finding another. Now this comes as the UK faces what can only be described as an epidemic of violence against women.
Let's bring in CNN Producer Nada Bashir, who is live for you in London. And Nada I think people will maybe be shocked to hear us using this term, an
epidemic of violence against women in the UK, but the statistics bear that out, explain.
NADA BASHIR, CNN PRODUCER: Well, that's right. It's a word that's been used by activists by women's rights organizations, even by London Mayor Sadiq
Khan calling this crisis an epidemic. And that's simply because we've seen so many women of the last year and indeed previously killed hands of men
here in the UK.
You'll remember just six months ago the brutal murder of 33-year-old Sarah Everett who was killed on her way home from a friend's house. And this
latest news on Sabina's death here in Southeast London, killed again believed to be at the hands of a man has really reignited the debate on
violence against women and has shone a light on this crisis.
A number of groups have said that more than 100 women have so far being killed in the UK this year alone. And it's the stock figures that have
really brought the emphasis back on finding a way to tackle violence against women. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BASHIR (voice over): Another community in mourning. Another woman senselessly killed. Sabina Nessa, a 28-year-old London School Teacher,
murdered minutes from home, she was on her way to meet a friend.
TREVOR LAWRY, DTECTIVE CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT, LONDON METROPOLITAN POLICE: As she walked through the park he was approached by an individual and fatally
attacked. Sabina's body was sadly found by a member of the public around 5:30 pm the following day.
BASHIR (voice over): Sabina's family has described her as a family oriented, caring soul.
[11:25:00]
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She is truly the most kind and caring person out there. She's the sweetest person sweetest girl like. I don't understand how
someone can do this with you don't just -- it's a big loss for our family.
BASHIR (voice over): That shock is felt far beyond Sabina's family. Just over six months ago, another murder galvanized this nation. 33-year-old
Sarah Everett was kidnapped, raped and murdered by serving police officer the brutality of her death and the heavy handed police response to protests
in her honor woke many up to this epidemic.
Her killer pleaded guilty and now awaits sentencing. In this year alone, there have been at least 106 cases of women being killed by men, where a
man is the principal suspects according to counting dead women in organization, which tracks femicide in the UK.
SADIQ KHAN, LONDON MAYOR: We do have an epidemic when it comes to violence against women and girls. I think we need a whole system approach. We each
have a shot at a young age. Our boys are taught to respect girls. I think we need to make misogyny hate crime. I think harassment in the public space
against women should be a criminal offense.
BASHIR (voice over): Women's Rights Organizations see these changes are long overdue.
JAMIE KLINGLER, CO-FOUNDER, RECLAIM THESE STREETS: And nothing's changed. No, I'm not safer than I was six months ago.
BASHIR (voice over): And that's particularly true for women of color.
KLINGLER: And the number of column inches, the number of minutes that you get on air time; it's absolutely proven that women of color do not get the
same amount of coverage. And it's systemic in this society.
BASHIR (voice over): For now, the investigation into Sabina's tragic murder continues. And while many questions remain, there was little debate to be
hard on the fact that Sabina like the countless women killed in the UK every year should have been safe.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BASHIR: And that's really the bare minimum that people are asking for women are simply asking to be safe enough to walk home by them. We've seen a
number of people in this community showing their support and their family of Sabina and her loved ones, hanging up flowers and leaving them here in
this park in the vicinity to where Sabina's body was found.
And we're expecting a vigil later this evening just nearby where people will be gathering - good memories to Sabina's life, with others asked to
leave a candle on their doorstep in her memory Becky.
ANDERSON: Nada thank you, Nada Bashir on the story for you. With this latest tragic killing in Britain, many are lamenting that little has
changed. Ahead on the show I'm going to speak with the leader of the British Women's Equality Party Mandy Read and ask what she thinks should
and could be done so that women do not have to be on the defense?
Plus, desperate refugees under a bridge and U.S. border patrol officers under scrutiny why the U.S. Congressional Black Caucus plans to take
action?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:30:00]
ANDERSON: This just in Reuters is reporting that the Chief Financial Officer of Huawei, Meng Wanzhou, is expected to appear in a Canadian court,
along with U.S. prosecutors. Now a source telling Reuters and agreement has been reached to resolve charges against Meng.
Let me remind you she was arrested over two years ago in Canada, and has been living there on that house arrest. Let me get more detail from Paula
Newton, who is on the story. This would allow her to leave Canada, right. What's going on here? What's - what are the details?
PAULA NEWTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, our issue is that very point that she would not have to set foot in the United States. We do believe in about
an hour and a half from now there would be a virtual court appearance in Brooklyn.
She would plead guilty and perhaps pay play fines to certain charges. But at issue is whether or not she would ever have to set foot in the United
States and be could return home to China.
The other part to all of this is once this happens, as we expected to in a New York courtroom that she would then appear in a Canadian courtroom,
which would then basically hold the extra extradition proceedings against her right now.
This is much larger though geopolitically, Becky. I mean, look Evan Perez, U.S. Justice Correspondent for us and I have been tracking and certainly
the plea deal on the table. This deal has been on the table for a little while, as we understand it.
There was no indication that she would accept it, we have to wait until the court date to see so the court proceeding to see exactly what she's
agreeing to. But to remind everyone, this also involves the story of the two Michael's, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor who was detained in China
just days after Meng Wanzhou was arrested.
The Chinese government saying that the cases are not linked, but certainly Canada saying they most definitely are.
And they have called this hostage diplomacy. I want to caution as well, Becky, I've been on the phone to two family members who are close to the
two Michaels and they are not celebrating in the sense that they know how difficult their case remains.
Michael Spavor has already been sentenced to 11 years he was found guilty. Michael Kovrig also found guilty has not yet been sentenced. This really
was an issue that came to the forefront earlier this year when Joe Biden said in the first few weeks in office said we are treating the two Michaels
like they are U.S. citizens.
This became an issue at the table between U.S. China relations. And perhaps that at this point is what helped this deal emerge.
ANDERSON: And Paula, as you has been speaking, and so you will not have been able to check your phone, and I'm on mine. And I've just got
confirmation from Evan Perez, our colleague that you've been working with on this, confirming that - will appear in court in Brooklyn to plead guilty
as part of the deal that would send her back to China.
I'll let you go because you'll have a lot more work to do on this one. But stay with us here on CNN as we get more on that, Paula, always a pleasure.
Thank you. We are following the outcry of a London community in mourning.
And a few hours Friday evening, local time a vigil will be held for 28 year old school teacher, Sabina Nessa. Campaign group Reclaim These Streets
announced the event on Twitter. Please in London say this park is where Nessa was attacked and murdered on a five minute walk to a pub last Friday.
They have one suspect in custody and they are looking for another. Well, Sabina Nessa's killing has galvanized public anger over how women of color
are treated by the media and the lack of sufficient government responds to violence against women in the UK.
My next guest is the leader of the British women's equality party. She tweeted this. No, it's not good enough to hand out safety alarms and tell
women to be careful and vigilant. We are already careful and vigilant deal with the threat.
All women and girls should be able to take safety and freedom for granted. Mandu Reid, the British women's equality party joining me now. And you were
there alluding to devices, alarm devices that the piece have been giving out to women they call women who are vulnerable in that area.
Our reporter, Nada Bashir - showed us one of those devices. But your point is a point well made. This is and we must talk about Sabina Nessa in the
first instance.
[11:35:00]
ANDERSON: But there is a wider issue here isn't as Sabina's family, though tonight are the ones firstly, that we should be thinking about and our
hearts go out to them and just your thoughts.
MANDU REID, LEADER, BRITISH WOMEN'S EQUALITY PARTY: This is a terrible tragedy and I can't even begin to fathom the pain. Her friends, her family,
everybody who knew and loved her must be feeling right now. Sabina was murdered in an area very, very near to where I live within minutes from
where my sister lives.
And the impact of this is to have created a serious feeling of being under siege of all the women who live in that community. And the point I was
making about streetlights and rape alarms and attack alarms, is to say that that cannot be the extent of the problem.
We can't have a situation where we are managing violence against women and girls; our energy has to go into preventing it. This is the third vigil
tonight I'm attending. And the vigil is the third one I've been to in six months for women who have been killed on London streets.
And we've got to face up to the scale of this problem. I've been calling for us to classify violence against women and girls as a national - and
give it the same attention resources and robust response that we offer to terrorism as a scourge as an issue that society faces.
ANDERSON: You are a Merrill contender for London, why? Just walk us through what you believe is going on. And what you want to see done.
REID: Violence against women and girls is one of the most prevalent crimes in our society. There are no political parties, apart from the women's
equality party and too few politicians that take this issue even half seriously enough.
And so one of the main objectives of my campaign was to bring this issue into the spotlight was to force a more ambitious response from the
political system was to make this issue a political and policing priority.
The current Mayor of London, you know, he says very warm things that sound like the right words around how, you know, no women shouldn't need to
change, its men who needs to change. Well, one of the men who need to change is him.
He has the power to do more in this space. And I want to see him use that power. I want to see him address this issue in a holistic way, invest in
it, lead the way so that women in London don't have to rely on street lamps, don't have to rely on rape alarms, because why should any girl have
to grow up in a society where this is just an accepted reality, it's not good enough, and there is scope to do better.
ANDERSON: You have worked within the sort of internal machinations of City Hall as it is, as it is called in London, where Sadiq Khan, the Mayor is
the current occupant. So you understand how things work in London, specifically.
REID: I do.
ANDERSON: What's getting in the way of change at this point?
REID: A lack of political will, I think it's as simple as that. A politician with his remit with responsibility for the police, he is
London's Police and Crime Commissioner has the leeway to set a standard in our city to not only publish a strategy to end women and girls, but to hold
himself accountable to delivering that strategy.
In the last few years, we've seen sexual violence escalate in London. In the last few years, we've seen charge rates but for the same sexual
violence had in completely the wrong direction.
And so when you have those leavers control over the police, as well as a broader remit around all sorts of other facets of life in our city that
contribute to making women equal, you should use those that leverage at your disposal and it is possible, but it's about making a choice to do
that.
And what I always say is violence against women and girls as a cause and consequence of women's inequality. And so when you're responsible for a
range of services, you have the power to have influence on a very, very broad spectrum of issues, but it has to be coordinated.
You've got to want to do it. And you have to accept the scale and magnitude of this problem not just show up at a vigil or show up when there's first
attention on a serious, serious episode like what's happened to Sabina Nessa.
ANDERSON: Mandu, have a listen to what Sadiq Khan had to say on this subject.
[11:40:00]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KHAN: We do have an epidemic when it comes to violence against women and girls; I think we need a whole system approach, which may show at a young
age. Our boys are taught to respect girls; I think we need to make misogyny a hate crime. I think harassment in the public space against women should
be a criminal offense.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: You've said in the past that it really frustrates you that you have politicians making declarations of sort of feminism. But actually,
when you scratch the surface, you say it feels quite per formative. Was that the Mayor of London, performing?
REID: You know what; I believe that Sadiq Khan wants things to be different. But what we had don't have evidence of is him using all the
leaders at his disposal to make that happen. I wrote to him recently, I'm sure he'll write back soon.
But what he needs to do is translate those words into action into investments into doing things like rooting out sexism and misogyny in the
police force, which he is responsible for.
But turning a blind eye to those issues is dodging those issues, for me is an example of not taking this issue seriously enough. In the London
elections, there was one hosting's on ending violence against women and girls.
I was the only mayoral candidate to show up. And for me, if you're serious about this kind of issue, you don't only show up at vigils, you show up
when there's a chance for you to make your case and put forward a strategy that would really make a difference to women and girls growing up in our
city.
It doesn't have to be like this. I guess women and girls needn't be inevitable, but it's going to take political will.
ANDERSON: Right.
REID: And I believe that he can do it, but he's going to have to make some different choices if he's going to make that happen.
ANDERSON: Mandu Reid, it's good to get your perspective. Thank you.
REID: Thanks.
ANDERSON: And Sabina Nessa's vigil just in two hours from now.
REID: Yes.
ANDERSON: You're watching "Connect the World", we're taking a very short break. We're going to be back after this. Please stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: But want to do more for you now on the - what has been horrendous situation for thousands of Haitian refugees at the U.S. Mexico border. The
U.N. Refugee Chief has called the conditions they're deplorable.
And in the border town of Del Rio, Texas, the mayor tells CNN that more than 2000 migrants remain under the Del Rio International Bridge waiting to
be processed. That number has come down from 14,000. But of course it isn't about numbers.
These are people fleeing mostly Haitians fleeing a collapsed state. They have trekked hundreds, even thousands of miles to find what we all want
which is a decent life for our families.
[11:45:00]
ANDERSON: And we have been hearing from Haitians deported back to Port-au- Prince where they tell us they have suffered abuse. Well, nine members of the Congressional Black Caucus met with domestic policy adviser, Susan
Rice, Vice President Kamala Harris, Chief of Staff and other officials.
The group says it plans to respond to the actions of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection with congressional action Louisiana, Congressman, Troy
Carter joining me now. As you and I speak, I don't want to find out what came out of that meeting.
I want our viewers just to be reminded of the sort of images of border patrol action in using whip like devices against these migrants, which was
caught on video and which is what you are alluding to here. So let's just bring up those pictures. Congressman, what action are you looking to
undertake? And what's come out of these meetings?
REP. TROY CARTER (D-LA): Well, at the end of the day, we want to make it clear that inhumane treatment of anyone is unacceptable. We had a very good
meeting at the White House a few days ago.
And I'm very pleased to report that Senior Advisor Cedric Richmond and Senior Advisor, Susan Rice and others who were present heard us and I feel
confident they did and that there's going to be changed. And that's going to be some accountability for those agents that acted so incredibly and
appropriately.
ANDERSON: Let's just hear from Joe Biden himself. With regard these actions this is what he said, just in the past hour, have a listen, sir.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BIDEN: It's outrageous, I promise you, those people will pay. There will be investigation underway now. And there will be consequences. There will be
consequences. It's an embarrassment. But it's beyond an embarrassment is dangerous, it's wrong. It sends the wrong message around the world; it
sends the wrong message at home. It's simply not who we are.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: He's alluding there to these images that we've just been looking at. But the story here is a wider one, isn't it? This is an --- situation
down at the border, which simply shouldn't have happened.
Filippo Grandi, the Head of the UNHCR Refugee Agency is called what's going on down there lightly against international law, sir. This is more than
this is more than actions of border police. Correct? What do you want to see happen now to prevent the sort of images that the world has seen at
your border?
CARTER: Well, clearly there has to be an absolute reform. We have to make sure that these images that we never see them again and that the people who
created them are dealt with, within the confines of the law to make sure that no one leaves with that vision of America, treating anyone who's
seeking asylum in that matter.
These people were not acting out violently. These people were not doing anything that would, that would cause them to be treated the way they would
treat it. What they were doing was fleeing a bad situation like many others have done to come to America.
And the thought that somehow that it was acceptable, that people should be treated, the way they would treat it certainly is unacceptable in the
thought that is being done under the color of people that represent the United States of America is absolutely unacceptable, will not be tolerated.
And we're demanding that there's action. And I'm very pleased and happy to hear that the President feels exactly the same way. His representatives
demonstrated their exact same disgust of making sure that this never happens again.
These are not - this is not a sport. This is not a game. These are people's lives that are coming to us, as many others have every day. Afghans or
others come. And this is America and we should, at a minimum extend them to humane treatment, not suggesting that they don't go through a process not
suggested that they illegally enter our country, not suggesting that the process should not be enforced.
But we're suggesting that no one should be treated like animals at slaughter. No one should be treated like this is some type of expedition on
a hunting trip. These are human beings and they should be treated as such.
ANDERSON: Sir, finally, I have to press you on this. I mean, I hear what you're saying. And this is a democratic presidency. I mean, this is Joe
Biden here in charge.
[11:50:00]
ANDERSON: And he says, as President, he takes responsibility. But we are hearing a lot of talk here; you are saying that you were satisfied with
what you heard. I think I need to press you. Specifically, what action do you want to see happen now?
CARTER: Well, the action I'd like to see is a re-visitation of, of Title 42. That needs to be revisited. The notion that it's an issue of health, we
know that vaccinations and other ways give us the opportunity to deal with those issues fewer than 42.
But we also know that there should be a moratorium on these deportations until we can figure out how to help these people to simply turn them around
and send them back to harm's way. It's not acceptable.
And we're asking that the White House consider a deportation until we get a moratorium rather on the deportation on and repatriation until we have an
opportunity to determine the most effective way to assist these people with their request for silence. And because it's a democratic --
ANDERSON: With that Sir, we'll leave it there. We thank you very much. Go on.
CARTER: Well, I just want to say because it's a Democratic president, a Republican president, this is not partisan. This is not we're going to call
right or wrong, regardless of who's in charge in humanity or anybody's watching still inhuman. It was just fortunate that we have a president
that's acknowledging that it was wrong and pledging to get it right.
ANDERSON: With that, we'll leave it there. We thank you very much indeed for giving us your time today. Next - country prepares to vote a world is
still waiting for more to be done. Greta Thunberg addresses climate protesters in Germany as that country prepares to head to the polls.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: All this week, we've been connecting you to an issue that quite simply connects us all the health of our planet, climate change dominating
talk at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. This is what the president of the UN Climate Change Conference or COP26, which will be held
in Glasgow in November, told me this week on Thursday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALOK SHARMA, PRESIDENT, COP26: For the first time we have the G7 nations align, we have a net zero G7. That's historic, but of course you're right.
We need every country to step forward on this point as well. The overall message I think we want coming out of Glasgow is that, you know we have
credibly played our part in limiting global temperature rises further.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, that's Alok Sharma and the issue is dominating Germany's electorate to as it prepares to vote on Sunday to replace Angela Merkel as
Chancellor. Greta Thunberg was among those joining a climate strike in Berlin earlier. Fred Pleitgen takes a look at where Germany's candidates
stand on environmental matters.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): It was a moment when the global climate emergency became a deadly serious
issue for Germany. Flash flooding this summer in the country's west killing dozens and destroying entire towns. The moment the environment became one
of Germany's most pressing concerns says Swen Hutter from Berlin's Free University.
[11:55:00]
SWEN HUTTER, FREE UNIVERSITY BERLIN: We've seen now a steady rise especially after the floods now in summer where we're back to more or less
50 percent saying climate is really the top issue.
PLEITGEN (voice over): An issue that can make and break political campaigns. Christian Democratic candidate Armin Laschet dropped severely in
the polls when he was caught laughing on camera while the German President spoke to flood victims. He later apologized for the incident.
Meanwhile, the Green Party topped the polls for a while and is still set for a strong showing with its strong environmental agenda.
ANNALENA BAERBOCK, GREEN PARTY CANDIDATE: And for the children, for those of you who are 17, 20 it makes a massive difference who gets to lead this
country in the future.
PLEITGEN (voice over): Of course, the environment hasn't suddenly become a topic for Germans, one of the largest industrial nations in the world with
a massive thirst for energy. Germany has long debated a fundamental question how to maintain the economy without destroying the ecology. Social
democratic front runner, Olaf Scholz says the time to act is now.
OLAF SCHOLZ, SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE: 250 years of economic development in our country of industrial development is based on the use of four sides.
If we will change this in 25 years, this is really a big process.
PLEITGEN (voice over): Climate activists have become more vocal in recent years, spurned by a global movement to tackle manmade climate change,
calling for an end to diesel and gasoline powered cars and polluting industries, the bedrock of Germany's economy.
Conservative candidate Armin Laschet says his party wants to foster innovation to help curb greenhouse gases. Well, our climate policies, we
want to invest in innovation and market economy mechanisms, which in our opinion promise more than the entire ban the SPD and greens are planning,
Laschet recently said.
In the 16 years that Angela Merkel governs Germany, the country and acted some environmental policies like ditching nuclear energy and attempting to
move towards renewables.
In a recent news conference, though Merkel acknowledged not enough has been done to fight climate change in Germany, which he says that goes for many
other countries as well.
HAJO FUNKE, POLITICAL SCIENTIST: Her biggest --is knowing all about the climate crisis and not doing anything what has to be done.
PLEITGEN (voice over): That difficult task is now left to Merkel's successor, as the German public is increasingly making clear it wants
action on climate change without further delay. Fred Pleitgen, CNN, Berlin.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: We'll get it from - CNN covers the start of Germany's new political era. Joining my colleagues Fred, Hala Gorani and Salma Abdelaziz
as they bring you the very latest on Sunday from just before six Berlin time if you are watching here locally, that said just before 8 pm. That's
it from us. It's been a busy week. Stay safe. Stay well, good night.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
