Saturday, February 20, 2016

Refugee Push-back in Montana

Montana: Hundreds turn out in support of letter to Washington opposing refugee resettlement by Ann Corcoran 2/19/16

Ravalli County is on the western border of Montana at the Idaho state line. Idaho is a big resettlement state (it is also a Wilson-Fish state). Yesterday 500 citizens turned out to voice support for a letter to the US State Department by the county commissioners to oppose the resettlement of refugees in the county. This is a preemptive move that is a result of the controversy created in the state when several non-profits have announced that they want to work with the US State Department to resettle Syrians (and others from war-torn countries) to rural Montana.

From the Missoulian: HAMILTON – A public hearing on a proposed letter opposing the settlement of Syrian refugees in Ravalli County and the surrounding area drew hundreds Thursday afternoon. The Ravalli County Commission hosted the meeting, which had to be moved three times to accommodate the crowd.

Last September, US State Dept. Refugee Director said the federal government doesn’t resettle refugees in “unsafe” (for the refugees!) communities! LOL! Here he is testifying before Congress about Islamic terrorists getting in to the US through the program (they have and they will!).

By the time the meeting was finished, the commissioners had heard enough to approve a modified version of the letter and expand its circulation to include the governor, Montana’s congressional delegation and Missoula officials.

About 500 people settled into the bleachers at the Hamilton Junior High School gym for a meeting that garnered a large cheer when the commissioners announced it would begin with the Pledge of Allegiance and included a loud emphasis from the crowd on the words “under God” during its recital.

I urge you to continue reading! It is a fascinating read. And, consider the fact that 500 showed up for an afternoon meeting of a county commission. Could that ever happen where you live?

Tip for growing ‘pockets of resistance:’ The US State Department has repeatedly said it will not send refugees to “unwelcoming” communities. Ha! But, it isn’t because of their concern for you, your economy and your culture, it is because they fear for the refugees safety as we heard here when State Department honcho, Larry Bartlett, went to Twin Falls, Idaho last September. Click here for all of our previous news on Big Sky Country!



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