1 thought on “Press Conference: A Call for Community Action to Aid a Humanitarian Crisis”

  1. Mayor Rothschild welcomed audience (50 people) to the Benedictine Monastery explaining the situation of asylum seekers being first processed by Border Patrol/ICE then dropped off in Tucson this past year, but that the Benedictine Monastery site would no longer be available after end of July. City recreation centers were used for overflow of people over recent Easter weekend. The Mayor thanked all the agencies helping so far and the owner/developer Ross Rulney of Benedictine site. Then Ward 6 Councilman Steve Kozachik read an email from Rulney saying he was “honored to help provide sanctuary for 7,000 refugees”, but esp. thanks to the volunteers since the latest crisis started in January. Steve K said that this humanitarian model could be replicated elsewhere for fleeing Guatemalan refugees. Theresa of CCS gave more background of the 400 volunteers helping provide services such as the kitchen, the bodega (clothing for 2 days are provided to all), greeters, etc. Marcy from Pima County public health said that there have been no major health issues, just fatigue & dehydration, some vaccines needed. Pastor Bart then spoke of St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church’s one week/month assistance for about 50 refugees each time, that they were “welcoming strangers” in this sanctuary movement, that it was a “blessing to the community” for those seeking survival. To volunteer, send email to casaalitas@gmail.com.
    Then the Mayor announced that the Tucson Jewish Federation is offering a $25,000 matching challenge to continue this work, phone # 520-577-9393, donation can be sent to 3718 E. River Rd.
    Questions from press: Any Stonegarden funds to be used for this effort (A: Pima County Adm. Chuck Huckleberry working on it), or AZ State funding (A: no). Another question was whether Tucson City facilities should be made available? (A: Mayor said yes, that it was humanitarian need if people just dropped off at a bus station, public health issue). Also, how many refugees presently at Benedictine Monastery (100 yesterday, 100 expected today), and why less now than before? (A: ebb & flow of arrivals from the border)
    City Mgr. Mike Ortega present today, as was Ward 3 Councilman Paul Durham, and Mayoral candidate Randi Dorman.

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