Why You Should Attend The Refugee Solidarity Rally In Utica NY

Next Friday, the city of Utica will host a Refugee Solidarity Rally in Oneida Square. The community has created the event to rally support for our local refugees. Refugees have come to the Mohawk Valley and assimilated into our communities with great success. They are an integral part of our community. The rally is in response to the 120 day ban executed by our current President. The ban has created fear and anxiety for refugees in our area, and the rest of the United States.

By attending the event, you help tear down the walls of intolerance. Too many people in the Mohawk Valley believe what they see on TV versus what we see in our communities regarding refugees coming to our country. Utica is a shining example of how refugees have assimilated into our society. They helped Utica rebound from years of population loss. They bought the absentee owner homes and returned them to single family ownership. They work hard, own business, and have helped revitalize Utica. Yet if you speak to some people in our community, they believe somehow refugees are a threat to our country.

Rallies like this can help reduce suspicions of refugees based on media bias. National newspapers and magazines have documented the Utica miracle. A rust belt city that has come alive with diversity and renewal. We need to share their story with our families, especially those who doubt that refugees should be allowed to enter our country. Education is the key to ending intolerance towards refugees.

Too many people forget that our ancestors were refugees facing similar plights. They went through similar examples of intolerance. Yet, they overcame huge obstacles and provided us with opportunities thanks to political asylum granted by our government. It was the previous generation that fought intolerance, and helped many in need become the leaders we have today in the Mohawk Valley. The same is true today. By supporting refugees, we support the future of the Mohawk Valley. It is now our turn to rally for refugees currently struggling with intolerance from our government.

The rally will be from 4-7pm in Oneida Square in Utica NY. If you would like more information, here is the link to the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/173971763089184/4/