Dear John,
As our country continues to grapple with racism and systemic violence, we commemorate a shameful incident in our nation’s past, in the hope that it reminds us of the importance of offering protection and a welcoming hand to those facing violence and persecution.
Eighty-one years ago tomorrow, Ilse Marcus and her family approached American shores for the first time – only to have the United States turn them away, along with over 900 Jews fleeing Nazi-occupied Europe aboard the MS St. Louis. Ilse later returned to start a new life in the United States, but this time, she returned alone: Her husband, mother and brother as well as 251 other passengers were murdered in the Holocaust after the United States refused to open its doors to them.
The journey of the MS St. Louis haunts us as a reminder of why we must offer protection to those fleeing violence and hatred. Today, HIAS stands with more than 70 million displaced people in search of safe haven, more than at any other time in human history. We know you share our commitment to those seeking safety and freedom so we hope you’ll take a minute to sign our pledge to support refugees and asylum seekers:
Right now, thousands seeking asylum are trapped at our southern border, where they face kidnapping, extortion and coronavirus exposure as their court dates are postponed due to the pandemic. But despite these risks, many families choose to wait – because the costs of returning home to violence and persecution are far too great.
With so many people needing help in their quest for freedom and safety, we recognize our common humanity by standing for welcome. We hope you’ll join us by signing our pledge today:
Sincerely,
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