On November 28, over 100 people gathered near the historic Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle to stand in solidarity with all refugees. Most speakers were themselves the child or partner of immigrants and refugees. Those in attendance held signs saying, “Everyone has a right to a dignified life”, “Borders aren’t real, people are”, and “No one is illegal” among others.
Although Governor Jay Inslee of Washington state has reaffirmed his willingness to accept Syrian refugees, racist and Islamophobic rhetoric still abounds – even in what many consider to be Washington’s most progressive city.
Those attending the rally sent a clear message: we will not be duped by the racist and bigoted pandering of those on the right. Violent attacks against Muslims and people of color have seen another sharp spike following the attacks in Paris, due in no small part to many of the current Republican candidates engaging in deliberately inflammatory rhetoric.
Jane Cutter of the ANSWER Coalition and WORD spoke about the crisis, illuminating the central role that US imperialism has played in creating the disastrous situation in Syria and other Middle Eastern countries.
It is now more important than ever that the working class continue to combat the hate-filled language of the right wing, and stand with those who have lost everything due to the imperialist policies of the US government.
