NEWBURGH – The Newburgh
City Democratic Committee is urging the city council to approve the Fair
and Welcoming City resolution, otherwise known as the sanctuary city law.
The City of Kingston recently adopted a similar resolution.
The Newburgh Democrats said they embrace the cultural and ethnic diversity
in the city and residents from the Latino and Caribbean communities, and
from Muslim, Sikh and other communities, “are currently at risk
and living in fear of raids by ICE and other federal authorities.”
The Democratic Committee also said that fear has reduced public safety
because residents are discouraged from reporting crimes, volunteering
evidence and interacting with the police.
The members said the fear has “harmed public health, by preventing
people from seeking medical attention,” has harmed the education
of youngsters because parents do not send their children to school, and
that the fear has harmed the economy, “by forcing people to remain
inside rather than shop at stores and visit restaurants.”
Democratic Chairwoman Lisa daily said, “Many of our people are feeling
alienated and abandoned.” By passing the sanctuary city resolution,
the council “will affirm that it welcomes and values all its many
and diverse peoples; and that it will do everything in its power to protect
them from illegal and unwarranted outside interference in their lives.
It assures them that they need not live in fear,” she said.
