Immigration rallies at the R.I. Statehouse

Scenes at the Rhode Island State House on Feb. 22. /Fran OstendorfA pair of rallies on the Syrian refugee issue was held Feb. 22 at the Rhode Island State House. More than 200 people attended one gathering advocating against welcoming Syrian refugees into the state and another in support of the refugees.

Those attending made it difficult for Charles Jacobs, executive director of Americans for Peace and Tolerance to speak at the first gathering against allowing refugees from Syria into Rhode Island. Peter Hoekstra, former Michigan representative and others also tried to speak but were drowned out by the chanting. At a later, rally in support of  welcoming the refugees included Rev. Dr. Donald Anderson of R.I. State Council of Churches as well as Rabbi Howard Voss-Altman of Temple Beth-El, R.I. State Sen. Joshua Miller and R.I. State Rep. Aaron Regunberg.