FRESNO (KMJ) — Fresno City Council has agreed to debate the creation of a legal defense fund to help undocumented residents fight deportation.
It came after a gathering outside Fresno City Hall, organized by Faith in the Valley, followed by hours of public comment in support of the proposal inside the chamber Wednesday morning.
“As Fresno residents, we are concerned about everything that’s happened at the federal level. With the new administration a lot of families continue to be separated…caught in this machine of deportations,” revealed Brisa Cruz, a community organizer with the California Immigrant Youth Justice Alliance.
“America is America because of our diversity, because of our people, because of our vision, because of our understanding that each and every one of us is dignified and valuable” followed Reza Nekumanesh with the Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno and Faith in the Valley.
He urged both Councilmembers and Mayor Lee Brand to support the initiative.
“To honor our nation’s legacy of advancing because of the enrichment offered by immigrants to stand with families…become leaders in our community by passing a proposal to contribute to a legal defense fund for those facing immigration issues.”
The crowd of activists then walked into the budget hearing; officials agreed to alter the schedule and move up the item they were there to discuss.
“So there’s a little bit of an agenda change,” established Council President Clint Oliver.
After approximately three hours of public comment, featuring numerous people voicing their support of the legal defense fund, it was confirmed that Fresno City Council will consider the proposal.
“That item will be heard next Tuesday, as part of our budget motion session,” added Olivier.
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
