President Donald J. Trump’s executive order, signed Jan. 27 to target terrorism, ruffled the feathers of some Americans.
Protests have erupted all over the country since the hasty release of executive order, and now Memphis has joined in the battle.
Marchers gather in front of the Clayborn Temple downtown.
A pro-immigration march, sponsored by the Refugee Empowerment Program and the Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition, took place downtown Wednesday afternoon.
Marchers traveled from the Clayborn Temple to the National Civil Rights Museum chanting things like “No Ban No Wall,†"The people united will never be divided" and “I will not be quiet; I will not be silent.â€
“We want to remember those who were murdered by our unjust immigration legal system,†17- year-old Jasmine Magana said.
Trump’s executive order cut the cap of refugees let into the United States in half, suspended all refugee resettlement for 120 days, suspended all “immigrants and non-immigrants†from Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Yemen, Somalia and Syria for 90 days and issued a review of the visa issuance process.
Some people from the seven suspended countries were detained at airports across the country in the days immediately after the order was signed, drawing much national media coverage.
“I am angry; I can’t handle this,†Khairunissa Shaikh, a Syrian woman who has been in the U.S. for 30 years, said. “Last night, my niece from London had a dream that she got stopped at the airport and was refused by officials. It’s heartbreaking.â€
Many U.S. citizens attended the march to show support for immigrants and their families.
“We are all immigrants, unless you are Native American,†Sydney Gould from New Jersey said. “I think the order is ridiculous, and immigrants should be welcomed. Personally, I know people detained in JFK. I think this is a dangerous thing to start off this administration.â€
Rebecca Rhodes, from Memphis, said she disagrees with Trump’s order because it is unconstitutional and against the Christian faith.
“We are Christian, and because of that, we have a responsibility to welcome people and create a safe space for everyone here to be a community,†Rhodes said.
Anna Carson also thinks the temporary ban is unconstitutional, saying, she “supports all refugees and immigrants.â€
Memphian Kathe Stewart said she came to show unity for every immigrant and refugee.
“I married an immigrant, and I think we are a country welcome to all different nationality, race and religion,†Stewart said.
Many Muslim citizens raised their voices to show their disagreement with the executive order.
Nadeen Elyan, who is also an American citizen of immigrant parents, said she feels sad for the people who can’t see their family because of the stoppage.
Ayat Ayesh is an American citizen born to Palestinian immigrant parents.
“Every human being should be allowed to come to the United States or any other country no matter their religion or their race,†Ayesh said.
“The time is always right to do what is right – tonight we’re doing what is right,†Yasir Qadhi, a professor from the Islamic Center of Memphis, said in his speech to the crowd.
As Qadhi continued addressing marchers, he expressed his feelings by saying not only does this ban affect the ones from those countries, but it affects him as well.
“I am not Latino, but I will stand with the Latino community,†Qadhi said. “I am not a refugee, but I stand for all the refugees.â€
Mitchell Koch contributed to this story.
