Protesters Defend Muslims and Refugees at Airports Nationwide

by Sarah Aziza

Friday’s order brought swift response from a diverse array of allies, from immigrant rights and refugee relief organizations to religious communities and labor unions across the country. On Saturday, reports emerged that dozens of individuals and families were being held at airports from Los Angeles to New York City, sparking spontaneous demonstrations at over 30 terminals nationwide. Protesters arrived chanting “Let them in!” and “No hate, no fear, refugees are welcome here!” The crowds, like the Women’s March on Washington, was populated by both long-standing organizers and hundreds of “first-time” activists who have been galvanized since the election. “I was never politically active before,” said Katie, a mother of two, outside JFK, “but I cannot sit back anymore.”

The momentum continued on Sunday in many cities and airports, as thousands remained camped out at airport terminals or rallied in city streets. Over 10,000 gathered in an emergency rally in New York City’s Battery Park, where crowds could glimpse the Statue of Liberty as they listened to rousing speeches from political leaders, immigration advocates, Arab activists and labor organizers, among others. In Washington, D.C., crowds protested outside the White House, while several thousand gathered outside Detroit’s Metropolitan Airport. In Los Angeles, protesters shut down the roads into LAX airport, resulting in several arrests and an eventual deal, brokered between organizers and law enforcement, to allow intermittent access to the airport.

Late Sunday night, the White House seemed to be walking back part of Trump’s order when Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly announced that the ban would not affect the thousands of legal residents (green card holders) from the targeted countries. This contradicts statements by other officials, however, and the situation remains unclear.

Reports continue of Muslim travelers being turned away at airports from London to Addis Ababa, while a number of individuals remain in limbo at American terminals. Going forward, legal activists, immigration advocates, and their allies plan to continue targeted resistance. “We are not outnumbered,” admonished Linda Sarsour at New York’s rally on Sunday, “But we’ve been out-organized.” Across the country, thousands are working to change that. Over 150 local campaigns have launched to call to mayors across the country to affirm or expand commitments to sanctuary cities.

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