Tomorrow the Amuse Bouche Guy will be sent back to France.
The street vendor who got his start at the 24th Street BART is being deported for overstaying his visa. The story of his impending departure has been covered heavily on local blogs.
An update on the Amuse Bouche newsletter from Murat's wife, who will be joining her husband in France, arrived today:
Dear Friends,
It is now final: Murat will be leaving the country on
Thursday, November 12th. Our request for deferred action was denied,
and even though we filed our green card application it did not bring
about a reversal in ICE's decision to deport him. Murat and I
considered delaying the process further to see if he could make his way
in front of a judge but decided that the disadvantages (mostly his
continuing internment and the suffering it has caused to ourselves and
our families) is not worth the gamble. So, I bought his plane ticket
today.
As you might imagine we are filled with mixed emotions. It is a
shame that Murat is being treated like a criminal and that the life we
have built in San Francisco is coming to such an abrupt end. At the
same time, we are infinitely glad that he will have his freedom back
and that our families, and a whole new life awaits us in France. We are
also very thankful for ALL the love and support you have shown us
during this difficult time. I will never forget the t-shirts, the good
wishes, the many many offers of legal, financial and emotional
assistance. I know that once Murat is back in France and reads all of
his emails he will have things to say of his own, so I am leaving it at
that.
Love and blessings to you all,
Pelin Celebi-Ariner
Today, my friend arrived at the 24th Street BART station, as she usually does, and
saw a food cart in the spot Murat often staked out to sell his treats.
She said she heard the woman manning the Wholesome Bakery stand say,
"I feel like I'm benefitting from Murat's demise."
