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Immigration Ban Sparks Concern

Posted on February 14, 2017 by caitlinjanczys

By Kimberely Blackburn and Caitlin Janczys
Delta Digital News Service

JONESBORO – Although the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling put a freeze on President Trump’s executive order limiting the entry of citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries, it still impacts thousands of people, including those currently in Arkansas.

Residing in the United States for four years, Aya* and her family will return to Libya in a few months. She said although it does not affect her now, she fears the executive order might alter her family’s future. Although Aya planned to return to the United States to work on her doctorate after visiting home, now she fears she will not be allowed.

The executive order not only affects Aya’s education, but also her children’s education. After learning of her 3-year-old son’s autism diagnosis, she feared for his future. In Libya, he would not be taught how to better express his emotions, which he now finds difficult. While in America, he learns to communicate by learning his alphabet, numbers and colors. If they cannot return, he will lose the benefits of a better educational program.

Jaden,* a graduate student from Yemen, came to the United States a year ago. He planned to return to Yemen in August for his wife and their 18-month-old child. But now he may have to stay here without them.

“There is now a need to stay here without them, without my soul,” he said.

Protesters hold signs at the “NEA: We All Belong” rally in front of the Craighead County Courthouse. The rally started with a Facebook page. (Photo by Caitlin Janczys)

Voices like these got a group of people thinking. Cord Rapert and others decided to help make those voices heard by creating the “NEA: We all belong” rally on Friday, Feb. 3 in front of the Craighead County Courthouse. Word spread quickly.

“It’s all been word-of-mouth and Facebook,” Rapert said.

By noon Saturday, more than 60 participants showed up to hold signs and stand close to the edge of the sidewalk that faced Main Street for passing cars to see. The message they spread: “No bans. No walls. No mass deportations. We all belong.”

“We decided to show not only the community here that there are people here who support (immigrants) and have their back no matter what,” Rapert said, “we wanted to do something that showed our support and showed how we are against this issue. We’re going to fight it any way we can.”

Honking horns from passing cars signaled support for the rally and its participants. The encouragement lifted the crowd’s spirits, making them hold their signs higher and chant louder.

Yet with such a high tension-filled issue, the rally wasn’t just met with optimism. A few cars passed with their windows open so that they could yell negative comments in the faces of the participants. One male even stood up through his window, turned his phone on the rally so he could video them, the other free hand raised in a fist, screaming, “Build that wall.”

Aya said the prophet Muhammad teaches followers to treat others the way they would like to be treated. She understands how some equate Islam with terrorism, but said Islamic militants do no represent Muslims accurately.

“I hate them!” she said.

Aya said the majority wishes to work with the United States to rid Libya of the terrorists. When the Obama administration worked to kill known terrorists in the area, many Libyans assisted in the United States’ efforts. She said terrorists attack her country as well as others.

Jaden said he agrees that the group, which calls itself the Islamic State, affects those practicing Islam the wrong way. He said those truly practicing the Islamic faith hate the terrorists more than others. Islam will always be a personal faith, he said, noting it means something different to every Muslim.

Yet not everyone understands the divide between terrorists and Muslims. Jaden said he fears the executive order will increase the level of hate between U.S. citizens and Muslims.

Many rally participants attended not only to raise concerns about the “ban,” but to promote hope, too. David Nunez, an organizer for Arkansas United Community Coalition, evoked the hopeful feeling at the rally.

“I thought it was a good idea … advocating for civil rights and social justice and civic integration,” he said. “Everybody has been so friendly and we’d like to keep it that way. It is a great rally. I’m very excited, I’m very, very proud to be here in solidarity.”

The outpouring of community support overwhelmed Aya, but it did not surprise her.

“I was sure the American people would not accept (the executive order),” she said. Many have tried to send her a message of support.

Aya said she has received many messages of support. After the president announced his executive order, Jaden said an American organization left flowers and prayer cards on the steps of the mosque expressing support. He said acts of kindness like this help him focus on peace and try to remain optimistic. Jaden said he believes this order goes against the human spirit and something will change. That could be the way his country and the United States views each other.

Jaden said he came to America with a negative view of the country due to the media attention it received in Yemen. But seeing the motivation of American citizens changed his view. Jaden said he hopes when he returns to Yemen, others will notice a difference in him and obtain a better view on Americans. He said he believes America remains a land of diversity and dreams, and that we can all learn from each other if we will just try.

*Editor’s Note: Names changed for privacy.

Delta Residents Join March for Women, Equality

Posted on January 27, 2017 by caitlinjanczys

by Caitlin Janczys
Delta Digital News Service

Participants march towards the capitol’s steps in Little Rock. (Photo by Trisitin Janczys)

LITTLE ROCK – People filled the intersection at Pulaski and Capitol streets, waiting behind a long purple marker. Police blockaded the surrounding streets, preparing for participants to walk. Thousands of citizens joined at the Capitol Saturday, Jan. 21, as part of the Women’s March.

Formally known as the Million Woman March, the Women’s March originated in Washington, D.C. What started as a simple rally turned into a historic movement as people in every state’s capital — and even countries around the world — marched in solidarity with the D.C. participants.

The Women’s March For Arkansas, designated due to its focus on women’s health and civic rights, was also an inclusive march. Its Facebook page stated, “This event is inclusive, and everyone who supports the rights of all is welcome. Our mission is to further the ideal of justice for all people who consider the United States home. Our vision is to educate and empower individuals to connect with like-minded allies to be the change they wish to see in the world.”

The mixture of genders, races, nationalities, religions and sexuality was hard to miss. Educators, lawyers, families and many more attended the event. Rebecca Spencer marched with her son, Jacob, a sophomore in college.

“We’re here just to march for social justice,” Spencer said. “It was an opportunity to share this with my son, to raise him to be a different white male in America.”

Jacob Spencer and his mother Rebecca Spencer hold signs for the march. Spencer runs the Allen House in Monticello. (Photo by Caitlin Janczys)

Quite a few educators marched in support as well, though some were reluctant to provide their full name in hopes of protecting their jobs. A self-identified professor from Arkadelphia said he marched for education as well as LGBTQIA rights.

“I believe education is very important,” Karr said. “I have a daughter, my friends are non-binary gender, and I also have gay/lesbian friends. It’s very important to represent for those people who are too afraid to come out and speak, and also to promote a positive attitude and emphasize how important education really is.”

Another educator named Shannon echoed similar feelings when it came to educational rights and being at the march for her child.

“I’m here because I have a 7-year-old daughter. I want her future to be bright and amazing, and I don’t want her to worry about any glass ceilings,” she said. “If I don’t stand up and make a difference, who’s gonna?”

As an inclusive march, many supported LGBTQIA rights.

“I’m here in representation of trans youth and women’s rights that are intersectional,” said Eliot, who supports equal representation for women from all walks of life. “We have to remember those in the margins who don’t get as much ‘air time’ as a privileged white woman might.”

Robert Polk moved to Little Rock a year ago from Dallas, Texas.

“The purpose of us being here is for promoting a better world,” Polk said. “The rights of equal opportunities, the respect of other women, LGBT, black, Afro-American, Latinos, you know all of us . . . just to make sure that the love is still there.”

(from left) Jaimee Jensen McDaniel and husband Ron of North Little Rock, stand with Gavin Stewart and his mother, Sherri, of Mountain View prior to the Women’s March.

Cheers soon broke over the crowd in waves, signaling the 11 a.m. march to the directly facing Capitol building had begun. Marchers lifted decorative, bold signs high in the air and stepped over the purple marker.

“We Shall Over Comb!”

“Women’s Rights are Human Rights!”

“I’m with Her”

Many more signs would catch a person’s eye. Fists raised into the sky were also on prominent display. Chants could be heard over the roar of stomping feet:

“This is what Democracy looks like!”

“Love trumps hate!”

“We can change!”

Although the recent inauguration of the least popular president in modern times featured violent protests, the Women’s March in Little Rock was as peaceful as promised. The energy was high, and participants were kind and welcoming to each other.

The same feeling could be sensed across the country, including the main event in Washington, D.C. Breanna Francis from Marked Tree described the energy at the D.C. march.

“It was positive, and it was a true heartwarming experience for all,” she said. “The march on Washington gave me hope for the future of this country, and hope that things will get better.”

Rebecca Moore and Breanna Francis marched in Washington, D.C. (photo courtesy of Breanna Francis)

Back in Little Rock, marchers surrounded the Capitol as the organizers and speakers greeted them. At noon, participants observed a moment of silence for solidarity with every person participating around the country. Then the speakers took the podium to address the crowd, calling for everyone to become politically savvy and contact their congressional leaders to demand fair rights for all.

Overall, hope provided the driving feeling of the whole event from start to end. One of the speakers, Vivian Flowers, told the crowd, “This march is not about one man, one election; it’s about unity and harnessing our power in the face of ignorance.”

For more information, photos and videos about the Women’s March, visit womensmarch.com or bethechange.org; search social media through the hashtags #taketheoath, #btc, #bethechange; or view the official Little Rock Women’s March Instagram.