Mayor Elorza speaks up for Muslims who feel threatened by Donald Trump
By: Rebecca Turco
Email: rturco@abc6.com
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza is making headlines once again for standing up to President-Elect Donald Trump, by publicly supporting local Muslims.
Elorza signed an executive order to create a Muslim-American Advisory Board. The board will aim to guide policy decisions that affect Muslims in Providence and focus on enhancing people’s understanding of the religion of Islam.
This announcement comes just a week after Elorza made headlines by taking a stand against Trump’s campaign promise to deport millions of illegal immigrants. “We’re standing up to respect the dignity of every individual that’s part of our community," Elorza said.
Area Muslims concerned about things Trump said on the campaign trail – like when he called for a complete shutdown of all Muslims entering the United States – are pleased with this new initiative and hope other communities follow suit. Mufti Ikram, an Imam at Masjid Islam in North Smithfield, called the council, “A light, a hope for the community that has been bullied, that has been harassed by a lot of people."
Rhode Island’s Honorary Trump Campaign Chair, Joe Trillo, says Muslims here legally have nothing to worry about. "I don’t see any problem for them and I think these are scare tactics to only scare that segment of our society,” he explained.
The outgoing state representative criticized Elorza, calling his comments political grandstanding. “If he can keep this nonsense up against Donald Trump, our new president, it takes the pressure off him to actually answer to the people about what’s going on in the city of Providence."
The mayor’s office is accepting applications for those who would like to be on the Muslim-American Advisory Board, ideally those who live in Providence.
Every week leading up to Inauguration Day, Mayor Elorza will be announcing city initiatives that he says will help protect groups of people who feel targeted by Trump.
© WLNE-TV 2016
