Where Never Is Heard, An Encouraging Word
Where Never Is Heard, An Encouraging Word
Our local Fiery Fomenters, survivors of the Anarchy of Occupy, have been rattling the doors of City Hall, trying to get us to be a Sanctuary City.
That's a bit of a sticky wicket anywhere, but a bit worse in North Carolina, where a law was crafted to prohibit such shenanigans: http://www.wral.com/mccrory-signs-bill-outlawing-sanctuary-cities-in-nc/15035244/
And, even with a new Governor, the Legislature is working on doubling down on that bet: http://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article134094579.html
And, of course, Jeff Sessions is doubling down, as well: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/sessions-urges-sanctuary-cities-comply-immigration-laws-article-1.3010685
So, the best we could do, without breaking the law, was to craft the following resolution: https://docs.google.com/document/d/132OjRZFYVyff1qVSRXyDLT2arEVtXeorYc9R8SmdOQY/edit?usp=sharing
I invite you to read it. It seems pretty harmless, to me.
I am confused as to why anyone would be upset by it, considering it simply directs us to be welcoming and affirming of folk, despite where they are from.
It is just rhetoric, not all that different from a lot of municipal resolutions that exhort us to enjoy National Pancake Day, or the like.
Except. The current immigration enforcement rhetoric (and practice) is an attempt to produce fear and intimidate immigrants, both those that are documented, and those that are not.
The news is full of unreasonable treatment of folks by CBP and ICE, simply because they "aren't from around here."
One of the strengths of America is that we attempt to offer due process and justice to everyone. We fail at that, a lot, and don't always admit it. But we're our best when we try hardest to meet that mark.
Compassion and fairness should be the focus of our leadership, not fear and intimidation.
I'm not against focusing on deporting criminals. I worry, more than little, about the criteria being used to define "criminals." I'm worried about how deportation breaks families, when some can stay, and others cannot. I'm also worried that more folks don't understand the scale of the "problem." We have a very large, law abiding and productive undocumented population in our country. They are here because of horrific conditions where they came from, and because of the perceived opportunities available here. Some of those difficulties and disparities are things we are responsible for, as a nation.
It's worth noting that, like the The Wall, it isn't going to be logistically possible to whistle up ICE to just make all the undocumented Go Away. Drumming up fear and hate is attempt to get folks to Run Away to Anywhere But Here.
There was a lot of speechifying at the City Council meeting about all the Terrible Things that would happen if this resolution passed. And all the Terrible Things that were happening to us as a nation, because of undocumented people. All the latter Terrible Things seemed to be based on Fake News headlines.
No decision was reached about the resolution. Meetings are going to be held between Our City and Our Legislature, that we aren't likely to be privy to the details of. Twisting of arms will occur, no doubt. We'll see what happens.
Wish us luck. This show may be coming to a venue near you, soon.
Our local Fiery Fomenters, survivors of the Anarchy of Occupy, have been rattling the doors of City Hall, trying to get us to be a Sanctuary City.
That's a bit of a sticky wicket anywhere, but a bit worse in North Carolina, where a law was crafted to prohibit such shenanigans: http://www.wral.com/mccrory-signs-bill-outlawing-sanctuary-cities-in-nc/15035244/
And, even with a new Governor, the Legislature is working on doubling down on that bet: http://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article134094579.html
And, of course, Jeff Sessions is doubling down, as well: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/sessions-urges-sanctuary-cities-comply-immigration-laws-article-1.3010685
So, the best we could do, without breaking the law, was to craft the following resolution: https://docs.google.com/document/d/132OjRZFYVyff1qVSRXyDLT2arEVtXeorYc9R8SmdOQY/edit?usp=sharing
I invite you to read it. It seems pretty harmless, to me.
I am confused as to why anyone would be upset by it, considering it simply directs us to be welcoming and affirming of folk, despite where they are from.
It is just rhetoric, not all that different from a lot of municipal resolutions that exhort us to enjoy National Pancake Day, or the like.
Except. The current immigration enforcement rhetoric (and practice) is an attempt to produce fear and intimidate immigrants, both those that are documented, and those that are not.
The news is full of unreasonable treatment of folks by CBP and ICE, simply because they "aren't from around here."
One of the strengths of America is that we attempt to offer due process and justice to everyone. We fail at that, a lot, and don't always admit it. But we're our best when we try hardest to meet that mark.
Compassion and fairness should be the focus of our leadership, not fear and intimidation.
I'm not against focusing on deporting criminals. I worry, more than little, about the criteria being used to define "criminals." I'm worried about how deportation breaks families, when some can stay, and others cannot. I'm also worried that more folks don't understand the scale of the "problem." We have a very large, law abiding and productive undocumented population in our country. They are here because of horrific conditions where they came from, and because of the perceived opportunities available here. Some of those difficulties and disparities are things we are responsible for, as a nation.
It's worth noting that, like the The Wall, it isn't going to be logistically possible to whistle up ICE to just make all the undocumented Go Away. Drumming up fear and hate is attempt to get folks to Run Away to Anywhere But Here.
There was a lot of speechifying at the City Council meeting about all the Terrible Things that would happen if this resolution passed. And all the Terrible Things that were happening to us as a nation, because of undocumented people. All the latter Terrible Things seemed to be based on Fake News headlines.
No decision was reached about the resolution. Meetings are going to be held between Our City and Our Legislature, that we aren't likely to be privy to the details of. Twisting of arms will occur, no doubt. We'll see what happens.
Wish us luck. This show may be coming to a venue near you, soon.
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