By KATE GARDUNO-KINGTreating all people with respect, justice and compassion seems like something we can all agree on, doesn’t it? I was surprised to find this statement being treated as controversial as I watched the April 4 County Council meeting.
Councilor Pete Sheehey proposed a resolution stating that “we support and observe the fundamental American value that all people, including immigrants and refugees, should be treated with respect, justice and compassion.” This sounds simple enough. And yet citizens were commenting that “illegal aliens” (their words) shouldn’t be included in this statement. That our county shouldn’t meddle in politics. That resolving to treat people justly is out of the county’s purview.
We live in a town literally built so that immigrants can come and work together with US citizens. I want to live in a place where I can take for granted the belief that all people are created equal and should be treated fairly. I thought I did, and now I’m not sure.
Please, if you agree, let it be known. Not just so my faith in our county can be restored, but so our friends and neighbors from other countries know they are welcome, and so everyone can feel confident the “fundamental American value that all people, including immigrants and refugees, should be treated with respect, justice and compassion” is alive and well in our town.”
