Advocates Call For Atlanta To Be A Sanctuary City
Miranda Hawkins / WABE
An audio version of this story here.
Immigrant advocates gathered near the state capitol on Thursday in protest of President Donald Trump’s executive order on immigration.
Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday that will stop federal funding for sanctuary cities or cities that don’t cooperate with federal immigration officials.
Azadeh Shahshahani is a human rights attorney in Atlanta. She was one of Thursday’s advocates.
“It is incumbent that the city of Atlanta immediately call itself a sanctuary city and ensure that our immigrant, refugee, and Muslim communities feel safe, protected, and that their human rights are guaranteed,” Shahshahani said.
Mayor Kasim Reed said he condemns Trump’s executive order. But he fell short of calling Atlanta a sanctuary city. Instead, he said Atlanta will continue to welcome all.
“Every time there’s been an issue that relates to the immigrant community and foreign born individuals I have stood up and spoken out and will continue to make the city of Atlanta a welcoming city,” Reed said.
The New York Times reported mayors from Boston, New York and Los Angeles said they will continue to call themselves sanctuary cities in defiance of Trump’s executive order.
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