Hamden Hall Hosts a Panel on Immigration

Five people. Five people with different opinions, on immigration stepped foot on Hamden Hall. Tuesday, October 23rd, Hamden Hall hosted a panel with some special guests including Ahmed Badr, Gary Winfield, Chris George, Mike Freda, and Aiti Rai. There was some very inspirational stories and facts during the panel.

Aiti Rai, lived in a refugee camp for 16 years. Once, the IOM came to the refugee camp and said they would take people to America. At first, she didn’t believe it because she was in the refugee camps for so long, she was almost used to it, but she went with the people trying to help her anyways. Aiti is now a Wesleyan student.

Ahmed Badr, came to America as a refugee about 10 years ago. Luckily, he wasn’t put into any refugee camps. In his free time he wrote a letter from the perspective of leaving Iraq as a refugee. He also started a website called Narratio which lets people from all around the world show their art and poetry.

Another person who came was Gary Winfield. He is the Connecticut democratic state senator. He told us his thoughts on the impacts the police have on the people and immigrants, all people and immigrants should have the same rights as us Americans, and pass the Trust Act by communities. He shows a negative side of ICE. He wants ICE to allow people into this country that are seeking help and thinks ICE should be abolished and taken out. He wants us think of lack of clarity, lack of movement of immigration laws, utterize people by race is not acceptable try to find another way to organize people.

Michael Freda born in Woodster Square, his parents emigrated from Italy- first selectman is Mayor, finances, balancing budgets, moving town forward in positive manner, create state of awareness , spend time helping individuals, people that are, 34% of population is Italian American, grandfather from fathers side was very successful before stock market crash, grandfather from mother's side was discriminated. He came here today and discussed what it takes to be the town selectman.

Lastly, Chris George, a man whose father was journalist, raised by broadcaster, stick to facts and speak clearly 1977 Peace Corps Organization, mission of IRIS is to welcome refugees to US and help them start new lives, huge plus for economy, allow businesses to incorporate/ include a lot of people, strengthen the economy, grandfather was immigrant, word spread through cell phones, seeking and granting asylum, a lot of people that moved because of technology, tech is used to get the facts out, lots of spirit, want to come here an experience USs limitless opportunities but it has changed since then.

Overall, everyone who came was very informational for our articles and very grateful of there presence.