WEST LAFAYETTE, IN — Five city councilors read aloud from a signed letter at Monday night’s meeting, affirming local immigrant communities in light of recent, sometimes deadly clashes between federal law enforcement and citizens in Minneapolis and other communities around the country. “I think all the councilors agree with the sentiment behind his letter,” at-large representative Iris O’Donnell Bellisario said. “But we wanted to read this so that our community understands our stance on the current situation.”
The letter says “acts of intimidation, harassment, or targeting based on immigration status have no place” in West Lafayette, and that if “a similar incident” were to occur in the city as the violence that has sprung up elsewhere, the council would “acknowledge what is happening, and we will support our community in every way available to us within our purview.”
The letter continues: “To our immigrant residents: you belong here. You are part of the fabric of this community, and your presence, contributions, and humanity matter. The city council is committed to listening, to naming harm when it occurs, and to using our platform to advocate for safety, transparency and accountability for all of our community’s residents.”
The message is signed by O’Donnell Bellisario, at-large representatives David Sanders and James Blanco, District 1’s Nick Schenkel and District 5’s Kathy Parker.
“I would just like to add to that for community members wishing to get more involved, there are some mutual aid groups,” Parker said at the conclusion of the letter-reading. “If you want to donate money to Ayuda Mutua Lafayette, or the United Tippecanoe Rapid Response Network and the Greater Lafayette Legal Defense Fund, they are all organizations in our community meant to keep members safe.”
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: West Lafayette councilors affirm support for immigrant communities
Reporting by Israel Schuman, Lafayette Journal & Courier / Lafayette Journal & Courier
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
