Not long after the Department of Homeland Security unveiled plans to crack down on illegal immigration, a banner reading "refugees welcome" appeared on the base of the Statue of Liberty. It remained there for only about an hour before being taken down by park rangers.
That "REFUGEES WELCOME" sign hung across the Statue of Liberty.
(Pic from @altstatliberty) https://t.co/VgWGx4OWBt pic.twitter.com/PgcheBOmcB
— Kristie Lu Stout (@klustout) February 22, 2017
Activists using the Twitter account Alt Statue of Liberty have claimed responsibility for the banner. In an email to NBC4 New York, a representative said, "We wanted to send a reminder about America when we're at our best — the country that's a beacon of freedom to the world, built by immigrants."
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Many who support a more open border policy saw the banner in a positive light.
My mother was born in a refugee camp. The Statue of Liberty was the first thing she saw when she came to America as a little girl. ❤️️ https://t.co/bvTy8b1jPV
— Andrea Chalupa (@AndreaChalupa) February 22, 2017
The Statue of Liberty says “REFUGEES WELCOME” even without a banner.
— Harold Itzkowitz (@HaroldItz) February 22, 2017
But those who support more stringent immigration and refugee policies, like former Congressman Joe Walsh, were less than pleased.
A "Refugees Welcome" sign hung on the Statue of Liberty today.
Yeah, because that mentality has worked out so well for Germany and Sweden.
— Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) February 22, 2017
