New York City Comptroller Links Jewish, Muslim Fates
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
“Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are here to stay,” thousands chanted in New York City’s Washington Square Park Wednesday night.
As The Huffington Post reported, the protestors united to rally against President Donald Trump and his impending executive order that calls for a significant reduction of Muslims allowed in the United States. The order also cites an indefinite ban of Syrian refugees—of the 5-million displaced, 18,000 have been allowed entrance into the US. A draft of then executive order was released to the public earlier that Wednesday.
Scott Stringer, New York City’s comptroller, made the connection between the Jewish and Muslim plight. He said, “As A Jewish American, I stand with the Muslim community, because today and every day in New York City, we are one people. I stand together with you, because when they come for you, they come for me, and when they come for me, they have come for you!”
Others also unified the Jewish and Muslim people, as well as other marginalized groups, in declarations of solidarity during the demonstration. Letitia James, a public advocate and speaker at the rally, said, “And any threat to any group, to African Americans, to Jews, to Muslims ― it doesn’t matter ― any threat to any group is a threat to all of us.”
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