This morning, I went to a vigil/protest about the recent terror attacks in Paris as well as ongoing terrorism in the Middle East, especially Lebanon.
One of my colleagues in my program was a co-organizer for this event. It was originally focused around Paris, but students from other parts of the world wanted to expand the scope of the protest. It was a mixture of international students and Americans. Some held signs; I was worried that no one else would be there since it was drizzling on and off the entire time I was there, but there was a decent crowd.
Scott gave a nice talk about how there is no room for debate about this terrorist attack like there was during the Je suis Charlie movement earlier this year. After that we all talked in smaller groups about why we were there; I think I had the most tenuous connection since I haven't been to France and I don't really speak French. There were several reporters there as well:
These students say @UofOklahoma is a Global University. @OKCFOX #BREAKING #ParisAttacks pic.twitter.com/hOWefROpDm
— Danielle Dunn (@DanielleDunnOKC) November 16, 2015
Oklahomans offer condolences, support to victims of #ParisAttacks @brianhardzinski | https://t.co/hbcTyMKROx pic.twitter.com/qBPi6uloR2
— KGOU News (@kgounews) November 16, 2015
It's been interesting to see how different people have responded to this act of terrorism, even if they were not directly affected. Today it has become clear that many people seem unaware of the long, difficult process that refugees go through in order to gain asylum in the United States.
____________________
Links:
American Immigration Council - a more in-depth look at the requirements for admission to the United States
Tulsa World article about Gov. Fallin's decision to urge the president to stop resettlement of Syrian refugees
- 4:11 PM
- 0 Comments
