Organizers Rally at Falmouth Village Green To Welcome Children Detainees

TOWN MEETING VOTESFALMOUTH – A day after opponents of a proposal to house immigrant children at Camp Edwards protested at the Otis rotary, those supporting the plan gather last night on the Falmouth Village Green.

Organizers said about 100 people were at the welcoming rally, while, across the street, about a dozen counter protesters gathered.

Peter Waasdorp of Falmouth, who is on the steering committee of Occupy Falmouth, is helping to organize the rally, which gets underway at 5 p.m. today.

Members of the faith-based community are expected to speak at the rally.

He said the rally was suggested by people within Occupy Falmouth and others.

“It’s spontaneous. Word just went out to various mailing lists this morning and we’re already getting favorable comments,” he said.

He said the rally is in response to the anti-detainee rally held yesterday [Sunday] at Otis rotary.

“I’d be very surprised if we don’t surpass them markedly in numbers and enthusiasm. That’s what I’d expect the Cape to be is welcoming” he said.

He said the rally is to show support if the decision is made to house child detainees at Camp Edwards.

“And we also want to show our individual willingness to help in any way we can and to work through various Cape groups that may be assisting any detainees that are being kept up there,” he said.

He had a message for the opponents of the possibility of the detainees being housed at the base.

Waasdorp said that opponents who are religious should look at their Bible, in particular the part about “suffering little children.”

“As Americans, I think they need to take a look at the plaque on the Statue of Liberty,” Waasdorp said.

Camp Edwards is one of two locations in the state being considered by the federal government as a host site.

No decision has been made yet as to whether children will be housed at the base.

Waasdorp listed the reasons the group is showing the support. “Number one, these are children and I think we should welcome children anywhere. Number two, this is America with the Statue of Liberty.

“Lady Liberty was not a bouncer. She was a welcomer. We should welcome them with arms wide open,” he said.

He said, “I expect it to be a warm peaceful and very welcoming rally today,” he said.

 



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