John, 

Our country faces a critical choice today: cruelty or welcome. Greg Abbott, Ron DeSantis and their allies have been weaponizing cruelty against immigrant families seeking safety within the US border, but thousands of people across the country are standing up and choosing welcome. We are proud to be one of several organizations stepping up to welcome asylum seekers with open arms — will you join us in providing essential items and services for our newest arrivals? 

Since the summer, we’ve watched New Yorkers rally together on a moment’s notice to welcome asylum seekers who were bussed here straight from the border. Governors Greg Abbott and Ron DeSantis wanted to make waves by dehumanizing those arriving to the United States in hopes of receiving safety and security. Republican leaders thought they could isolate asylum seekers and make a case for apathy and increased border security, but their plans backfired — instead, thousands of people nationwide have joined forces to protect asylum seekers and create welcoming spaces for them in our communities. 

We know firsthand that our immigrant communities are the backbone of our city, state and country. New York has been welcoming immigrants for centuries and we will not stop now. We’re proud to be in community with organizations who believe in a future where asylum seekers are not punished for seeking a better life. 

On November 30, join the NYIC and partners at LGBT Community Center from 11:00AM to 7:00PM to collect winter coats, children toys, canned goods, and other non-perishables for immigrant New Yorkers and the community based organizations that serve them. We know it will take all of us working together to combat senseless cruelty — we’ve done it before and we will choose welcome every time. 

In solidarity,

Murad Awawdeh