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After the terrorist bombing and shootings that unfolded in Paris on Friday, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto did not back away from his long-time message of welcoming refugees into the Steel City, especially those from Syria.
“We want to provide [refugees] an opportunity to give their families all the opportunities they deserve here in Pittsburgh,” said Peduto at a press conference.
Peduto’s position is in stark contrast to that of several politicians across the country today who are refusing to take the refugees into their states. Among them are Louisiana Governor and Republican presidential candidate Bobby Jindal, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, and Florida Gov. Rick Scott among others.
Peduto said more than 4.5 million Syrians have fled their homes due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and that this is the largest migration crisis since World War II. He vowed to show that Pittsburgh is welcoming to those who need a home and that they may “stay in Pittsburgh or return to home” after the conflict subsides.
“Do we stand by the words on the Statue of Liberty?” said Peduto referring to the Emma Lazarus poem which says America shall welcome all immigrants, “or do we run from that reaction?”
Peduto said that Pittsburgh has a history of a Syrian community (including a Little Syria in the Hill District in the late-1800s) and said that many Syrian immigrants were in the city before his family immigrated here from Italy. He also spoke of the heritage of Muslim residents in Western Pennsylvania and how they have a place in the city too.
“They are a part of our community and have been since the civil war,” said Peduto of the city’s Muslim residents.
The mayor said that the city has already brought in some Syrian refugees over the years and currently has at least two families from the war-torn country residing in the area. He also stated that the process for which refugees to reach Pittsburgh is more complicated than accepting any immigrant and that it could take one and half to two years to safely bring in refugees. “The standards are higher than someone who is just looking for a VISA,” he said.
While Peduto stood by his stance on refugees, he did acknowledge that the city has increased some security measures in the wake of the Paris attacks. He said that the Steelers’ football game at Heinz Field this Sunday had around two times as many security personnel as usual.
This article appears in Nov 11-17, 2015.
Typical liberal democrat. I’m sure these refuges will live miiiiiiiiiiiiiiles away from Peduto.
I know people will think it’s “inhumane” but the government had the right idea with internment camps in the 1940s.
If officials want to bring in refugees, fine. But put them in camps… patrolled camps. They’ll be safe from what’s going on in Syria, but it will keep America safe from who might be hiding amongst the refugees.
And oncr ISIS falls, send the refugees home.
Keep them safe. Keep us safe. Send them home.
DONE.
Typical troll. Just criticizing in the most ignorant way possible.
You old people are just the worst.
Yes bring them in, let the NWO and George Soros get their way. Make the American people beg to have their rights taken away. Make them beg to have military troops on the ground on every corner with MRAPS and high powered machine guns.
You know who thinks this is a great idea ? Goofy liberal hipsters.
Apparently, outside of their love for skinny jeans, beards, acoustic music, cucumber wraps, and not showering…they have a deep affinity for refugees coming from the most dangerous part of the world. I mean who knew ?? I always thought they would be too wrapped up in being ironic, or drinking Pabst blue, or whatever counter trend is trending at the moment ; but alas…they wish to go full retard and mirror Minnesota. Speaking of Minnesota, ask them how well the influx of somalians is working out for them. I’m sure it’s a real treat for the homeowners there.
I believe in humanitarian effort and to help out our fellow man, but the efforts to help these refugees is a disgrace to the American citizens. We have countless numbers of veterans that cannot get the help or assistance that they need to live and be health, and are homeless. We have countless numbers of families that cannot get help with basic needs like food or health care. These are all have been here and are citizens of the United States and our local, state and federal government does nothing to help them but they are willing to bend over backwards to help other and import them to our country for use to help. We the people and our elected officials have a duty to take care of our own before we do anything we can to help others. This is not the case and it is wrong. Our local, state and federal government cannot even balance a budget or get out of debt but we send millions to other countries for relief while our local citizens suffer due to the lack of support from government. If our elected official wish to personal adopt refugees and have them live and support them, then that is their right but for them to force these refugees upon the American people when we do nothing for our own is outrageous and wrong. Our officials were elected to do what is right for the citizens of their area and have failed in their duties.
Time to start carrying
This makes me proud of Pittsburgh! (Not the comments section.)
I am an old person, politically moderate, I love veterans and I believe our Mayor is absolutely right in taking this stand. There’s nothing stopping people who talk about veterans giving to and volunteering for veterans. Be the change you want to see. But this current refugee crisis (of which Syria is only a part, globally speaking) is THE defining moment of our time. All of us as Americans were refugees once… will we remember that now and show the same mercy to others that someone once showed us? Will we shirk from this moment or will we stand tall? I am proud Pittsburgh’s Mayor is standing tall.