On Tuesday afternoon, a group of activists unfurled a banner saying “Refugees Welcome” underneath the Statue of Liberty.
An activist identifying himself as “David,” said this about it:
“This was first conceived in response to what’s been called the ‘travel ban’ of the Trump administration, which I think flies in the face of the founding principals of the United States.
… I think the Statue of Liberty is our best symbol of the role that immigrants have played and continue to play every day in this country.”
A giant ‘Refugees Welcome’ sign was unfurled on the Statue of Liberty today https://t.co/4H0MRIz8pX pic.twitter.com/TUdLAMzcMr
— Philip Lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) February 21, 2017
The activists, calling themselves Alt Lady Liberty, said this in an email statement:
“Almost all Americans have descendants from somewhere else. Immigrants and refugees make this country great. And turning away refugees, like we did to Anne Frank, does not make us great. Refugees are welcome here, Muslims are welcome here and immigrants are welcome here.
And it’s not just our ancestors. Every American knows an immigrant or a refugee. We wanted to send a reminder about America when we’re at our best — the country that’s a beacon of freedom to the world, built by immigrants. Walling off countries or entire religions is against our values. That’s what the Statue of Liberty stands for.”
The banner was removed quickly as soon as the National Park Service determined that removing it wouldn’t damage the pedestal. The banner was affixed with nylon rope. Putting things on the pedestal is prohibited, so they National Park Service is investigating the incident.
We are not sure exactly what motivated it, but it is likely related to Trump’s attempts to keep out refugees. His original executive order prohibited people from certain Muslim-majority countries from coming into the country. Now, he is coming up with a new executive order that would stop all refugees from coming into the country.
The statue is often seen as a symbol for immigrants. People coming into this country on the East Coast used to go to Ellis Island and would see the Statue of Liberty as they came in. What better place for a reminder, even a short-lived one, that we should welcome everyone?
https://youtu.be/MQsLo6B3n78
Featured image via Pixabay/Public Domain
