Protesters target Meehan’s stance on immigration
SPRINGFIELD » The earliest traces of the proverb “don’t judge a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes” date to the Cherokee tribe.
One need not be a Native American, however, to grasp its meaning.
Nearly a dozen constituents of U.S. Rep. Pat Meehan, R-7 of Chadds Ford, stood outside his office Wednesday afternoon to protest his voting record on immigration. The rally was similar to ones held recently near the offices of Republican U.S. Reps. Ryan Costello of Chester County and Mike Fitzpatrick of Bucks County and U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa.
“We are walking in the shoes of those who cannot take a stand,” said organizer Kim McCollum, who was born in Honduras. “In many cases, they live in fear.”
Standing behind rows of sneakers, moccasins, loafers and sandals, the ralliers carried signs reading “No Human is Illegal” and “Immigration Built this Nation.” Their chants of “No hate, no fear – immigrants are welcome here” elicited honks from passing motorists.
McCollum met several times this spring with Meehan and his staff to discuss Kate’s Law, named for a woman who was killed by a Mexican national who returned to the United States despite being deported, and the no sanctuary for criminals act. Both bills have been passed by the House and are awaiting votes in the Senate. She is also concerned that Meehan voted for a bill that would appropriate funds to build the wall along the United States-Mexico border.
“I have been in this country since I was 8 and am an American like everyone else,” she said. “I am an MBA student at Drexel, but many immigrants do not have access to good education.”
Her sentiments were echoed by the small, enthusiastic group. Ruth Ann Davidson of Ridley, who has also communicated with Meehan, noted she disagrees with his stance on sanctuary cities. Philadelphia is one of many urban areas that limit cooperation with the federal government to enforce immigration law.
“Pat Meehan has said sanctuary cities are dangerous,” she said. “I feel they keep us safe.”
Due to his stance on immigration, Peter Stroup of Swarthmore said Meehan has been “a big disappointment to me.”
“He has been following the Republican Party line on issues such as deportation and the Muslim ban and that is not what the people of Delaware County voted for and need,” he added. “I want him to step up and do a better job for immigrants.”
Although the protestors did not know if Meehan was in his office, the point of their exercise was “to be here and interrupt the day,” said McCollum.
“We want to impact the lives of immigrants and those who live in his district,” she added. “For us, it is not business as usual.”