Bearing Witness to the Times: Sanctuary Cities

San Francisco is one of several sanctuary cities    (Photo by Kaddi Sudhi)

"Washington threatens funding cuts to California, other 'sanctuary' areas"

(Headline from Reuters)

Sanctuary Cities

Across the country

Cities rise –

Reaching for humanity,

Calling upon our higher nature.

While often seen

As places of danger –

Cruel life on the streets
And hideouts for our greatest evil –

Cities also gather our greatest good,

Presenting skills of workers

Talents of artists

And dreams of seekers.

Today
While a nation constricts,

Guarding its borders

And hoarding its treasure,

Some cities rise in freedom.

Some cities proclaim our best,

Welcoming the stranger

And speaking to the hopes of our ancestors.

Defying bitter politics of fear,

Sanctuary cities offer shelter

And refuge

To all who have heard the call

Of Lady Liberty

In New York Harbor.

While politicians cry

“We are a nation of laws,”

Our conscience cries,

“We are a nation of immigrants.”

It is to the city that we come.

We come to find ourselves,

We come to find America.

                                                           ~ CK

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Photo by Mike Blake (Reuters)

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