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Madison City Leaders Look To Counter Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric

Mayor Says City Working On Ways To Highlight Immigrants' Positive Contributions

By
Shamane Mills/WPR

Members of Madison’s immigrant community met with Mayor Paul Soglin Tuesday to discuss ways to counter negative perceptions in the wake of the Paris attacks by militants from the Islamic State group.

Days after the Nov. 13 attacks, more than 30 mostly Republican governors, including Gov. Scott Walker, publicly opposed President Barack Obama’s plan to accept 10,000 Syrian refugees to the United States.

Maysoun Chablout came from Syria to Madison two years ago. She said the backlash is unwarranted.

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“They think we are terrorists. We are good people,” Chablout said.

City Alderman Samba Baldeh came to Madison from West Africa. He pointed to immigrants’ contributions to society and said the city needs to “counter the narrative ” that’s spreading fear around the U.S.

“How can we tell that story in the community?” Baldeh said. “How we show the community that we are all welcome here? “

A council resolution is in the works that would affirm Madison’s support for Syrian refugees.

Soglin said immigrants made great sacrifices to come to the U.S. and he criticized Donald Trump for his anti-immigrant comments.

“That person should not be punished they’ve already suffered enough,” Soglin said. “They shouldn’t be punished because there might be a Republican presidential candidate with a very narrow mind and a big mouth.”

Soglin said the city will explore ways to tell the personal stories of immigrants, possibly through video.