Local Civic Leaders Gather to Reiterate: Immigrants Welcome in Stamford
“Whatever Comes Our Way We Are Gonna Work on it Together”
STAMFORD — On Tuesday, November 12, hundreds of residents watched a community event in person, on Zoom, and live on social media to hear directly from city and state officials. The overwhelming message from those civic leaders was loud and clear: immigrants are now and will always be welcome in Stamford.
The event, “Paving the Way Forward,” was held in the third floor auditorium of the Ferguson Library’s Main Branch.
It featured Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons, Stamford Police Chief Tim Shaw, and Stamford Public Schools Superintendent Tamu Lucero in a panel discussion moderated by Elena Perez Moreno, executive director of Building One Community (B1C), who organized the occasion.
Given the underlying reality that many residents are now facing with President-elect Donald Trump returning to the White House, the feeling of concern was evident from the start.
His designated nominee to serve as “Border Czar” is a staunch advocate for mass deportation who recently set a dark tone with his proposed approach to the process.
However, panelists were vocal in their stance of protecting and supporting all Stamford residents no matter their race or ethnicity.
“We will continue to be a city of inclusivity. We are ranked the 16th most diverse city in the country for our size,” Simmons said. “We want to ensure that immigrants in the city feel safe. We have zero tolerance for hate of any kind.”
At the state level, Tong reiterated his office’s work to help Connecticut residents, including here in Stamford, his hometown, through litigation and similar strategies. He also acknowledged the grim situation that many people are facing after the presidential election.
“I’m really glad that we have each other. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be home tonight and, frankly, be with my people,” Tong said. “But I’m sorry we’re here again.”
According to B1C, more than a third of all Stamford residents are born outside of the United States, and around half of all Stamford students speak a first language other than English.
Building One Community, starting in 2011, has served as a “center for immigrant opportunity” by providing training, resources, and other support services to immigrants in Stamford and nearby municipalities.
“We are so grateful that we were able to put together this community conversation,” B1C’s Perez Moreno told the Stamford Current after the event. “It was important and it was very needed for the immigrant community to get clarity, reassurance, and most importantly to see their leaders be here and stand by their side knowing that whatever comes our way we are gonna work on it together.”
Last year alone, B1C’s website indicates that more than 4,500 people received services from them and more than 13,000 hours of volunteer work were provided to the organization.
That mission-driven work ethic was also behind the quick turnaround to convene the B1C community conversation held Tuesday night.
“At Building One Community, we were very happy to put this conversation together,” Perez Moreno said. “Yes, it was short notice but the moment we brought it up we had support from Attorney General William Tong, from the Mayor, from the Chief, and the Superintendent so we are very grateful for that.”
With a main location in Shippan near Cummings Park, B1C also has an educational center in Waterside.
🌊