Hundreds gathered at the Sacramento International airport January 29 to denounce the recent Muslim ban and to stand in solidarity with the detainees being held at airports throughout the country.
As passengers exited their flights and arrived at Terminal B, many joined the crowd. Passenger Halima Qadr expressed her support, “I am now a U.S. citizen but I used to be a refugee. I will stand with all of you. Everyone is welcome here, everyone from all countries, all refugees are welcome. We are here to stand with each other no matter where you come from, what religion you practice, it doesn’t matter if you’re Black or white or Brown, everyone is welcome here. Welcome to California.”
After Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday afternoon to indefinitely ban entry of Syrian refugees and U.S permanent residents from seven different Muslim-majority countries, people throughout the country hit the airports and streets to resist against the Trump agenda and his cabinet full of white supremacists
As the crowd chanted, “No Walls, No Registry, Smash White Supremacy” and “Say It Loud, Say It Clear, Refugees Are Welcome Here,” two Sacramento activists did a banner drop from the second floor that had the crowd cheering.
After a few hours, it was announced that Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg was making an appearance. His appearance was emblematic of the efforts of the Democratic Party leadership to try to jump in front of the peoples’ movement to stop the Muslim ban. This effort is ironic to say the least as it has been the Democratic Party that played a key role in creating the conditions in these countries that has caused people to flee their homes as refugees.
The Mayor arrived from a flight. Some gave Steinberg hugs and posed for photos. He was also was met by a handful of activists who began asking questions about the recent deaths of homeless people in front of City Hall. Some people in the crowd yelled, “Let him speak!”
Steinberg ignored the question about the recent deaths and the no-camping ordinance that makes it illegal for a homeless person to camp at risk of a citation. He went straight into saying that he welcomes refugees and that Sacramento is a sanctuary city that is prepared to fight against Trump.
Some activists however knew his response was not enough considering the realities of what is occurring on the streets of Sacramento. Activists began chanting, “End the Camping Ban!”
Although Steinberg may have came out to show superficial support for refugees and immigrants, it is necessary to question what he is doing for poor and working people at home. If he says that refugees are welcome in Sacramento, it must also be asked, in what way does the city plan to provide for and support them. If the city does not provide sufficient resources for its own people who are now dying on the streets, how does it expect to help and welcome others?
The fact is that city officials are not interested in helping anyone but themselves and the businesses that put them in office. If they were genuinely interested in helping people, city council sessions would not be silent and inactive on issues like police terror, deportations and homelessness.
It is estimated that there are 2,500 homeless people in Sacramento with more than 900 sleeping outside on an average night.
We must beware of liberal politicians that present a face of opposition to Trump in public but in reality only want to demobilize the people. Now is the time to build a people’s movement made up of all those who have been oppressed by a system dominated by corporations and bankers so that we can build a new one based on the interests of the working class.
