Hundreds rally in Burlington to support refugees

First, Enrique Belcazar read a statement in Spanish, then Will Lambek spoke in English. Their message was the same, in support of refugees coming to America and in opposition to new President Donald Trump’s restrictions on immigration.

“Immigration is a human right,” Lambek said, translating Belcazar’s words, “and you can’t trump human rights.”

The two men from the Burlington-based organization Migrant Justice were among an estimated 700 people in the crowd Tuesday night at Burlington’s City Hall Park. They gathered to protest restrictions on immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries, affecting refugees from war-ravaged nations such as Iraq and Syria.

Trump says his executive order is necessary to keep potential terrorists from entering the United States. A statement read at the rally from Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., in opposing Trump's plan says America is a nation of immigrants with a history of welcoming the oppressed. Opponents also argue that the restrictions do nothing to make the country safer.

Read more: http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/2017/01/31/hundreds-rally-burlington-support-refugees/97253776/