“No hate, no fear, refugees are welcome here.” is one of the many catchy slogans that was chanted throughout Melbourne city yesterday. Along with expressing their dislike towards Donald Trump.
Fellow Aussies turned to their own Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, to let the refugees in. Many feel as if Donald Trump has abused his time in the Whitehouse, for the short period that he has been in office. Though, Trump was not the first President to take advantage of making an “Executive Order” under their presidency.
* Abraham Lincoln used an executive order to issue the Emancipation Proclamation that freed slaves in the United States
* Ronald Reagan used one to ban the use of federal funds for abortion (which President Bill Clinton reversed when he came into office)
* More recently, Barack Obama used one to stop the deportation of young undocumented immigrants who entered the US as children (ABC.net.au)
Why is it that Donald Trumps order sent a ripple effect of angry riots throughout the world? Most believe it is because there are signs that Trumps notions are small warnings of what is to come. For example, the Holocaust was build around the persecution towards Jews. Another example is the Mexican wall. Does this not remind you of the West Banks Apartheid wall? This order occurred extremely early in his presidency, and shook the world to it’s core. While we fear we are powerless, watching Syrians flee from their homes to lands unknown. Trump has in fact ignited our flames from within. Showing why America is “great again’. By letting Americans, and the world, become reminded of their humanity.
The rally ranged of all ethnicities, ages, and religions; all coming together for the greater good. In all honestly, the world forgot about refugees. Forgetting the children of Yemen, the fathers of Syria, the mothers of Somalia, and the struggles of Mexican livelihood. Overall, the long list of people who are helpless and need our help. There is one good concept that came from Donald Trumps bigotry, he reminded us of our humanity and what our voices can do.
-Jawahir Ahmed
banooda, Melbourne, Australia
