REFUGEES: A Call to Action by the Westchester,

Rockland and Hudson Valley Community

As the tides of refugees from war in the Middle East literally wash ashore in Europe, we are witness to human tragedy of unfathomable proportions. In a world where governments wage wars that result in the displacement of tens of millions of people, we as human beings face a responsibility and a real opportunity to do the right thing. We welcome the tired, the poor the hungry and endangered to our country and community. We cannot be witnessand not take action. All around the country, municipalities and local communities are calling for the UnitedStates of America to open wide the doors to the refugees, and are ready to welcome refugee families into their communities. We in the Westchester, Rockland and Hudson Valley Community join in the call for action to

welcome refugees as follows:

• Ask our Senators and Congresspeople to advocate for the prompt resettlement in the US of a substantial

number of refugees;

• Ask our county legislators to endorse the effort and provide the community support needed;

• Ask our local municipalities to endorse the effort and coordinate to assist in the hosting, housing and

absorption of families;

• Bring together both community and faith-based groups to provide community support and participate

in resettlement efforts;

We make this call based on the firm conviction that all people -- regardless of race, nationality, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ability, or legal status -- deserve to live in freedom and safety.

We, the undersigned organizations, commit to advocate energetically for opening our doors to 

refugees to share the message above broadly. We will invite our constituents and our partners to join us in taking direct action to support refugees who arrive in the lower Hudson Valley.

"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breath free" 

Emma Lazarus