Roanoke Mayor David Bowers should immediately apologize for the disrespectful and short-sighted use of Japanese internment as a justification for closing the city’s doors to Syrian refugees fleeing violence and persecution. Additionally, the Mayor should showcase the city’s commitment to human and civil rights by welcoming Syrian refugees—and all refugees—to Roanoke, VA.
The internment of Japanese Americans during World War II represents one of the most disgraceful episodes in American history. In violation of constitutional protections, over 100,000 Japanese Americans were forcibly removed from their homes and and placed in internment camps across the country.
VA Mayor invokes Japanese internment to defend exclusion of #SyrianRefugees https://t.co/q3jH2zKans #NeverAgain9066 #HateUnchecked
— Imagine 2050 (@Imagine2050) November 18, 2015
#HateUnchecked leads to internment of innocent people and the termination of our civil rights #NeverAgain9066 https://t.co/yOseZYFtVd
— AdvancingJusticeATL (@AAAJ_Atlanta) November 18, 2015
Mayor Bowers should apologize for his statement and welcome refugees to Roanoke, VA #NeverAgain9066 #refugeeswelcome https://t.co/bMs93D9OK4
— Margari Aziza (@Margari_Aziza) November 18, 2015
Mayor Bowers’ suggestion that the internment of Japanese Americans based solely on their ancestry was necessary or right is truly shocking.
This outrageous statement builds on the virulent anti-immigrant, anti-refugee, and anti-Muslim rhetoric that has flooded the public discourse in the wake of the tragic attacks in Paris. These attacks were nothing short of devastating, yet the response to the tragedy should not be to close our doors and leave more people to face violence and persecution.
Mayor Bowers’ statement unintentionally, and disturbingly, illustrates the potential consequences of fear-mongering based on race, religion, or ethnicity. If anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim hate and fear are left unchecked, the consequences may undermine our Constitution and our democracy.
Mayor Bowers, please issue an immediate apology for your statement and take concrete steps to make Roanoke, VA a more welcoming place for refugees and all immigrants.