Activists Call Foster Care System a ‘New Slavery’
As dignitaries and child welfare workers gathered to address child abuse at a downtown meeting, local Nation of Islam leaders protested outside, saying the foster care system is creating a “new slavery” in which impoverished children are unduly taken from their parents.
“Our babies are being taken from our arms,” said minister Tony Muhammed. “There’s money to be made in taking black, brown and poor white babies. “It’s a new slavery,” said Muhammed. “The courtrooms are being used as trading blocks.”
Muhammed was referring to the money collected by foster parents--between $200 and $900 for a child each month.
A department spokesman said the group holds protests often. “A lot of these people are plaintiffs in lawsuits against this department,” said Neil Rincover. “Others have had their kids taken away.”
Speakers at the meeting included Sharon Davis, wife of Gov. Gary Davis; actor and activist Mike Farrell; and U.S. Deputy Atty. Gen. Eric Holder.
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