Earlier today elected officials and city agencies reached out to the Muslim community in Bay Ridge to calm fears following the “Muslim Ban” ordered by President Donald Trump.
Dubbed #OneNewYork Day of Action: Protecting Our Muslim Communities, the officials, along with volunteers from Arab-American and Islamic-American nonprofits visited 12 subway stations to distribute information in multiple languages about protections from religious discrimination under the City’s Human Rights Law, the availability of free immigration assistance, tips about protecting oneself from immigration fraud and information about other city services.
The initiative kicked off in Bay Ridge, which has one of the largest Arab-American communities in the borough. It follows President Donald Trump’s executive order last week barring entry to refugees from anywhere in the world for 120 days and targeting seven mainly Islamic countries including Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
The order and Trump’s anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant rhetoric has many in Brooklyn – long known as a stepping off spot for immigrants in America – on edge with reports that many immigrants are further hiding in the shadows,
Aber Kawas, Youth Lead Organizer from the Arab American Association, said following Trump’s executive order, her agency had dozens of clients come in with fear and confusion.
“When times like these happen, it is really important for our community to feel supported by the city, by the services [city agencies] and feel like we have the resources to address the needs of our community. This time more than ever we feel that, for the Arab community for marginalized communities, that we feel that the city is really following up on it’s promise to be a sanctuary city,” said Kawas.
Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) Commissioner Lorelei Salas said, “I want to spread the word to all of our communities especially our Muslim community, that we are one New York. Together we are anxiously facing a time of anxiety and uncertainty in the communities [immigrant communities] and this is a moment where we want to be present and let people know that this is a city for all immigrants. To reassure New Yorkers that we are here to protect them against discrimination and harassment including in the workplace, housing and public places.
The message of the event was one about solidarity and bringing together all of the communities in Brooklyn to fight together with immigrants against Trump’s recent immigration measures. The city has set-up immigration services for those who feel threatened or are in fear for their family and friends through programs such as ActionNYC. The program “connects New Yorkers to free and safe immigration legal help,” according to its website.
Salas also warned immigrant New Yorkers of current scams that have been circulating, including a “protection card” scam that is promising legal protection to immigrants for thousands of dollars from non-legal aids and scammers who are only out to profit from immigrant fears.
City Council Member Carlos Menchaca (Sunset Park, Red Hook), Chair of the Committee on Immigration, who attended the event, said it is important for the entire immigrant community – whether Muslim, Mexican or whatever to ban togther as allies.
“No matter who you are you have rights in this city. No matter what status you are, what religion you practice, no matter what sexual orientation or gender identity [you are], you have rights in the city of New York. We built them together and we’re going to continue to defend them,” Menchaca said.
