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13 February 2017—

Rain, sleet, cold! No one cared! It was a cold day on Sunday, 12 February. Despite rain and sleet, hundreds of demonstrators gathered in support of refugees in Battery Park in New York City.

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Demonstrators got together to support refugees in Battery Park, NY.

Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, Public Advocate Letitia James, City Comptroller Scott Stringer, Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison and Mayor Bill de Blasio, were among hundreds of protesters to attend the rally.

 “No freezing rain is going to stop us from fighting for justice,” de Blasio said.

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Mayor Bill De Blasio spoke out at the rally in Battery Park.

Mayor De Blasio added, “We need solidarity. An attack on refugees is an attack on all of us. An attack on our Constitution hurts all of us. Any attempt to divide people by religion hurts all of us. And it leads us to someplace dangerous. And that’s why we stand up against President Trump’s executive order.”

The rally, organized by HIAS – the global Jewish nonprofit organization that protects refugees – was held as part of a larger National Day of Jewish Action for Refugees.

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Rabbi Jennie Rosenn, vice president, community engagement for HIAS, “We are raising a clear voice that we are standing with refugees. We are standing with all communities,” said, and added, “We must keep our doors open to people who are fleeing for their lives.”

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Demonstrators showed their support of refugees in Battery Park, NY.

Demonstrators held signs reading, “Refugees welcome,” “My people were refugees too” and “Jews support our Muslim neighbors,” “Refugees are humans,” as they chanted.

Photos: © h. nazan ışık /NKENdiKEN

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