Friends,
Supporters of the Welcoming City reaffirmation will release our joint statement this Monday, May 1, at 5:30 p.m. in front of City Hall at 101 N. Main Street, Winston-Salem. Supporters of the Welcoming City reaffirmation are invited and welcome to attend. This will be a brief and respectful event. If you bring signs, they should be small and handheld by one person, with inclusive messages of "welcome", "community", "inclusion", "respect" and the like. No divisive, negative, or explicitly political messages please.
The Welcoming City joint statement is included in full below:
WINSTON-SALEM IS A WELCOMING CITY:
Joint Statement
Winston-Salem is a diverse community which draws strength from that diversity.
Winston-Salem is a welcoming community which takes pride in serving and protecting all our citizens, other residents, guests, and visitors, regardless of race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability status.
Winston-Salem has a proud tradition which continues today of welcoming refugees from war and hardship to a new home of safety and community in our city.
We, the undersigned, oppose any measures which target populations within our diverse community for legal scrutiny or other challenges based on race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability status.
We, the undersigned, recognize that our whole community is safer when all victims and witnesses of domestic violence or criminal activity feel safe in contacting our police for assistance without fear.
In light of the current national environment of excessive fear and suspicion directed by some toward immigrants, refugees, and other newcomers, this is a time for community leaders to reaffirm our personal commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive community for all.