Refugees get real taste of liberty, in New York
After fleeing war in Syria and arriving in America with her family four months ago, for one day Mona Hafez is not a refugee. She is a tourist seeing the sights of New York. “Coming to the park was really fun. Riding the subway was awesome. I love all of New York City,” says the 10-year-old, words tumbling out of her mouth in delight.
Hafez was one of 150 refugees last week treated to free tours of the US cultural capital, complete with a pizza lunch, in a charity drive organised by a New York guide desperate to make refugees feel welcome at a time when President Donald Trump wants them banned.
So ugly and so polarised is today’s US debate around immigration that organiser Luke Miller received death threats on Facebook while raising money to cover the cost of the daylong tours. “People wrote just really vitriolic, nasty, nasty things,” said the 48-year-old, who owns family business Real New York Tours. “Overall the response has just been incredible.”
For five days over spring break, he took mostly Syrians but also some Iraqis around the city, treating groups of children, teenagers and parents to stories about New York’s history, fun facts and indelible memories.
For one day, the refugees could put aside worries about overcoming the language barrier and finding work, and just enjoy themselves after years of living in fear and uncertainty.
The tour took in Madison Square Garden, Times Square — where a spot on the Marriott Marquis billboard costs $2.5 million a month to rent, Miller tells the flabbergasted group — then Central Park to see the sea lions and ride the carousel, ironically operated by the Trump Organisation.
Then it’s back on the subway to head downtown to Battery Park to see the Statue of Liberty across the harbor and eat pizza.
Passers-by drop in to listen. Miller does magic tricks to put the children at ease. Five Arabic translators make sure everyone understands. Another volunteer has a bag of snacks — fruit, nuts, cookies and chips — to keep the children energized.
Strolling through Central Park, past lush grass, tulips and blossoms, a busker played “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” on the saxophone, and the children pose at the bronze Balto dog statue. Their parents filmed or took pictures on their phones or selfie sticks. Teenagers were already chomping on gum, US-style.
“This has been the most wonderful day I’ve spent in America. It’s been beautiful, it’s been amazing,” says Mona’s mother Rawda, beaming under a white headscarf and dressed in a sweater to fend off the April chill.