Utahns march for refugees

Friday, Feb. 10, 2017

Editor's note: On Jan. 27, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order that would prohibit refugees from entering the United States for 120 days, and keep immigrants from seven predominantly Muslim countries out for three months. To protest the executive order and show their support for refugees, Utahns turned out in force at several events. Catholic Community Services of Utah was involved in three of these events: the welcome of an Afghani refugee family at the Salt Lake City International Airport on Feb. 2, and marches in Salt Lake City and Ogden on Feb. 4. See additional Intermountain Catholic coverage in the stories listed on our landing page.

SALT LAKE CITY — What started with hundreds of people gathering in downtown Salt Lake City transformed into thousands marching to the Utah Capitol in support of the refugees and immigrants in the country.

The march was a reaction to President Donald J. Trump’s executive order that prohibited travelers from seven predominantly Muslim countries, as well as all refugees, from entering the United States for the next three to four months.

Tall, short, children, adults, the elderly, people with special needs, people of different cultures, religions and beliefs – on Feb. 4 they all became one, sending a message to law makers and to the world that the lives of refugees and immigrants matter and they are welcome in Utah.

“I am here because I know a lot of beautiful immigrants and refugees, my friends and my colleagues are part of them and I love them and I wanted to be here,” said Megan Richards, who works at United Way of Utah.

Wearing a Statue of Liberty crown, Richards said that she considered it very important to raise her voice by participating in the march. 

“When you are an immigrant or a refugee, your voice doesn’t get heard. Sometimes it’s on purpose that it’s covered, and this is a chance to stand with immigrants and refugees and to show them that we care, and I am also here to make sure their voices are heard and amplified,” she said.

The march began at the Wallace Bennett Federal Building with a chain of children, representing diverse cultures and upbringings, holding hands.

“So many of my students have refugee status,” said Rebecca Richardson, a teacher at East High School.

“They just transformed my life and I am a better person and a better human being because of them,” she said, with tears running down her cheeks. 

She said that she has heard so many human stories “that people don’t know about. They have experienced poverty and violence and the worst of humanity, and yet they bring the best of humanity with them. They make our community stronger and better because they bring that strength and that resilience and understanding of the importance of education.” 

Banning that population would be criminal, she said.

“I can’t imagine my life without them in it, having the experiences that I had with these extraordinary human beings has make me a better human being. Banning them – it’s more than heart-breaking,” Richardson said.  “We are not just hurting them, we are devastating them and we are devastating ourselves.”

The crowd marched to the capitol chanting phrases such as “No hate, no fear, refugees are welcome here” and carrying banners displaying words such as “Jesus was a refugee,” “We welcome and protect each other,” and “As I have loved you, love one another.”

“We feel this is a way to unite the community,” said Sabhea Masad, a college student and Muslim who, with her sister and friends, participated in the march, which she said was the first time that she has seen people getting together to stand up for refugees and people of other religions.

 “It’s really nice; as human beings, it means a lot,” Masad said.

At the Capitol, a refugee-led program highlighted their experiences of coming to Utah to build a better life for their families.

 Speakers included Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski and Adan Batar, director of immigration and refugee resettlement of Catholic Community Services, which has resettled more than 30,000 refugees in Utah since the 1970s.

Batar, who immigrated from Somalia in 1994, said he was concerned about Trump’s plan, which would restrict immigration for 120 days. A judge temporarily blocked the ban on Feb. 3, but the administration has appealed the ban. At the time of this writing, no final ruling had been made.

“This ban is not making America great,” said Batar, who immigrated to the U.S. in search of freedom and education.

“I wanted a safer place where I could raise my children,” he said. “I’m a contributing member of this society. I pay taxes. I’ve paid my time back; I volunteered. So, this is what refuges all want. Refugees are welcome in Utah,” said Batar as people erupted with claps and cheers.

Among the refugees in Utah is Akachi Nzeogwu, who fled with his family from the Congo to Uganda, where they lived in a refugee camp.

 “It was really tough,” he said. “Life was really hard. There was not enough food, there were lots and lots of people. We slept on the floor, we picked leftovers from the floor. ...”

After some years and with help from the United Nations, the family was able to start the process to immigrate as refugees. Five years ago they came to Utah. Nzeogwu now is a student at the Salt Lake Community College.

“It was only by God’s grace that we are here,” Nzeogwu said. “(We are) human beings, not animals.”

Utah resettles about 1,150 refugees each year. You can help by volunteering to mentor or tutor, or donating money or goods.

The items needed most are diapers, feminine hygiene products, toiletries, hygiene kits and household supplies. These items can be dropped off at Catholic Community Services of Utah, the International Rescue Committee, or the Asian Association of Utah.

Also, contact your federal representatives to voice your support of refugees and immigrants.

For information on volunteering or donating, visit http://ccsutah.org/, https://www.rescue.org/, or http://aau-slc.org/.Source: Utah Refugee Services Office