Medlock Park shows support for international students

Dan Whisenhunt Jan 30, 2017

Photo provided to Decaturish

This story has been updated.

President Donald Trump’s executive order blocking people from certain predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States generated chaos and protests over the weekend.

Trump’s order blocks people from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen from entering the U.S. for 90 days, according to CNN. It also has also been interpreted to bar green card holders, people who have permanent United States residency who happened to be traveling overseas when the order was implemented.

The impact of Trump’s harsh line on immigration has been felt at the International Community School in the Medlock Park neighborhood, where students reportedly cried the day after Trump was elected. According to its website, the K-5 school has immigrant, refugee and local students. It has an enrollment of more than 400 children, comprised of 30 nationalities speaking 25 languages, the school’s website says.

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On Sunday, a Medlock resident placed a sign in front of the school. It said, “Stay strong, neighbors. You are all welcome here.”

By Monday morning, there were dozens more signs awaiting the students when they arrived at school. An employee who answered the phone said school officials were surprised.

Christopher Morley, an ICS board member, said the school community appreciated the gesture.

“As a Board Member of International Community School and a resident of Medlock, we are eternally grateful for your support of our students, families, faculty, and staff,” he said in a message to the Medlock Park community. “You’ve given our families a great gift of hope this morning. Thank you.”

A resident of the neighborhood told Decaturish that on Monday morning, teachers brought the students out of class one-by-one to “enjoy their moment.”

The story was also picked up by CNN.

Readers sent in these photos of the signs at the school and photos of people making the signs: