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Like many, Canadian artist Michael de Adder was saddened and appalled by the images of El Salvadoran migrants Oscar Alberto Martínez and his 23-month-old daughter, Angie Valeria, drowned on the bank of the Rio Grande river. So de Adder created a political cartoon to capture the way he felt about the tragedy and the reaction from President Donald Trump and his administration to the plight of migrants seeking a better life.
Martínez arrived along with his wife, daughter and a brother at a migrant camp, hoping for an appointment to petition for political asylum in the United States. The family spent two months waiting in temperatures that reached 113 degrees before they decided to try to cross the border. They first tried to enter at the international bridge, but were told the office was closed and to come back another day so they turned to the river.
Martínez and his daughter made it to the Texas side of the border, but when he returned to the river to help his wife cross, the little girl jumped into the water after her father. The current overwhelmed the two and they drowned clinging to each other while Martínez's wife and Angie mother watched, unable to help.
The political cartoonist—who signs his work deAdder—shared his response to the tragedy on his website and on Instagram.
View this post on Instagram
From there it made it to Twitter where it was shared by Travon Free and others.
Put it in the Louvre. https://t.co/dpPHwupy5R— Travon Free (@Travon Free) 1561574434.0
De Adder explained his choices in response to questions from those who saw his political cartoon.
@Travon The only unrealistic thing about this is the idea that Trump would ever ask permission.— Sam (@Sam) 1561583407.0
@Travon @TheCFullerton That is so wrong. He would never ask.— Jani from the Block (@Jani from the Block) 1561581479.0
I tried less polite Trump and felt "do you mind if I play through" to be more delusional and dismissive of reality.… https://t.co/norcT4i66r— Michael de Adder (@Michael de Adder) 1561583688.0
People let de Adder know his work moved them.
@deAdder When a cartoon evokes strong emotion means you are making a difference...— Tina Louise (@Tina Louise) 1561605065.0
@deAdder Powerful - one of your best! 👍— Ian Henderson (@Ian Henderson) 1561601969.0
@deAdder It was perfect even if no words were there. The art said everything. You're awesome! (envious fan)— James Boxall (@James Boxall) 1561583932.0
@deAdder It was and is brilliant Micheal , never apologize for your insights.— Sue Uteck (@Sue Uteck) 1561599900.0
@deAdder This cartoon is devastatingly excellent and I'm sharing it. It's brave, heartbreaking, and in the absolute… https://t.co/36mv2PKDU2— Howie Greene (@Howie Greene) 1561587347.0
And many found it devastatingly accurate.
@deAdder It's pretty close to his real reaction after seeing the photo and proceeding to blame the deaths on the le… https://t.co/DFxg9i9wWg— Dianne Lynne (@Dianne Lynne) 1561585444.0
@deAdder I think it was brilliant and truly indicates his disregard for human life. We need to be very careful in our own country!— Gail Sloane (@Gail Sloane) 1561584756.0
@deAdder Yes my first thought was “he wouldn’t be that polite”, immediately followed by “but that’s just how callou… https://t.co/1q6cnuNKiO— Angel: Name, not Occupation (@Angel: Name, not Occupation) 1561607390.0
@deAdder Brilliant sir.— Matt Walton (@Matt Walton) 1561590500.0
@regankirwinA @Travon @nycsouthpaw On. Not over. He'd use them to keep his shoes dry— ☀️🌸Zen Roskelley🌸☀️ (@☀️🌸Zen Roskelley🌸☀️) 1561585230.0
@Travon @FizFashizzle Wow - not surprisingly - a unanimous, unflattering commentary on @realDonaldTrump when readi… https://t.co/zGY8sO9Gl0— Kimberly (@Kimberly) 1561596367.0
People also pointed out others who were complicit in the crisis.
@Travon Golf bag organizer provided by Wayfair.— Diana Henderson (@Diana Henderson) 1561575343.0
The political cartoonist who calls Halifax, Nova Scotia home, has targeted Trump before. Like his commentary on Sarah Huckabee Sanders...
@PressSec @StephGrisham45 Expecting more of the same with your replacement. @deAdder https://t.co/aYyZLltC0s— (((Jana Ben-Moshe))) (@(((Jana Ben-Moshe)))) 1561546779.0
...and the Trump administration response to climate change...
🇺🇸 #Trump et le réchauffement climatique #COP21 #parisclimateagreement (@deAdder) https://t.co/JE8Ff7dauH— B3infos (@B3infos) 1496341778.0
...and labeling the press as the enemy of the people.
There is real fear that Trump’s irresponsible rhetoric when criticizing the press may result in irresponsible actio… https://t.co/rpFs7MB1qX— Counterpoint (@Counterpoint) 1561483908.0
Officials stated the bodies of Oscar and Angie Martínez will be repatriated on Thursday to El Salvador where his mother still resides. At least six migrant children have also died in US government custody since President Trump had the Justice Department enact a zero tolerance policy.
While de Adder is best known for his political cartoons, he enjoys humor as well. His book of cartoons, You Might Be From Canada If..., is available here.
