Over One Thousand Rally at Statehouse in Support of Immigrants and Refugees

Excited voices echoed through the rotunda of the Washington Statehouse in Olympia on February 11 as over one thousand gathered to rally for the second annual Refugee and Immigrant Legislative Day. Organized by a coalition of more than twenty Washington-based community groups, the rally illuminated critical issues facing immigrants and refugees such as citizenship and naturalization rights, educational access, and job training.

Opening the events, NW Asian Weekly’s Assunta Ng greeted an eager crowd, representing forty different nationalities. The day’s activities included speeches by state representatives and community leaders and a moving cultural performance by a group of Vietnamese singers. Rally participant Paul Myers, remarked that “There was an incredible responsiveness to the speakers. Everyone was clapping and screaming in support of them.”

As a final action, ReWA Executive Director Someireh Amirfaiz and fifty others presented position papers to Representatives and Senators. The three position papers argued for the necessity of increased state funding for naturalization programs, ESL education, affordable housing, and services for the homeless. Santos and Kline welcomed the participants and engaged their concerns at length.

The second annual Refugee and Immigrant Legislative Day was undoubtedly a success. The event provided the opportunity for ReWA and other community groups to call on the state legislature to support the needs of immigrants and refugees, and it allowed us to show each other that we are “stronger together.”