This country started as a melting pot and it should stay as such, regardless of what the 1% would like us to believe. We are supposed to be the home of the free and the brave--and that is what we should be showing the world by opening our borders to refugees, not turning our backs on them. Welcoming refugees fleeing from violence is the BEST possible way our state can show the true meaning of the words on the Statue of Liberty: "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Massachusetts is the birthplace of American freedom. We have known our share of pain from 9/11 and the Boston Marathon, and have taken pride in being strong. Let us now not run in fear from those who run from fear. Open our arms to the victims of ISIS.

Some Republican demagogues are taking advantage of the ISIS-Daesh attacks in Paris to try to scare Americans into thinking that admitting Syrian refugees to the U.S. would threaten our security. Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson said Sunday that accepting Syrian refugees is "a suspension of intellect." [1] Senator Marco Rubio told ABC that "We won’t be able to take more refugees…Because there’s no way to background check someone that’s coming from Syria." [2] But the claim that the U.S. government lacks the ability to screen refugees for security concerns is just not true. As Politifact noted: [3] "Before a refugee even faces U.S. vetting, he or she must first clear an eligibility hurdle. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees — or occasionally a U.S. embassy or another NGO — determines which refugees (about 1 percent) should be resettled through its own process, which can take four to 10 months." "As we noted in a previous fact-check, once a case is referred from the UNHCR to the United States, a refugee undergoes a security clearance check that could take several rounds, an in-person interview, approval by the Department of Homeland Security, medical screening, a match with a sponsor agency, ‘cultural orientation’ classes, and one final security clearance. This all happens before a refugee ever gets onto American soil." "'It can actually take almost three years,’ said Lavinia Limón, the president of the advocacy group, the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants. ‘The process for refugees is the most extensive security screening we have for visitors. It’s easier to come in as a tourist, a student, a businessman.’” “The length and thoroughness of the U.S. vetting system set it apart from the ‘chaotic, dangerous process’ for refugees fleeing into Europe by sea, said Geoffrey Mock, the Syrian country specialist for Amnesty International USA… ‘the population identified by the UN and vetted by both organizations has worked successfully in alleviating crises in dozens of other countries, including Iraq, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia and the Central African Republic,’ Mock said. ‘There’s no reason to believe Syria will be any different.’” Urge Members of Congress to tell the truth – that the U.S. government has a vigorous process for screening refugees for security concerns – by signing our petition. References: 1. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/conservative-suspicions-of-refugees-grow-in-wake-of-paris-attacks/2015/11/15/ed553664-8baa-11e5-acff-673ae92ddd2b_story.html 2. http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/260219-white-house-refugee-plan-targeted-after-paris-attacks 3. http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2015/nov/15/jeb-bush/jeb-bush-it-takes-almost-year-refugee-be-processed/

Chicago is better than the fear and anti-refugee platform Illinois' governor is taking. We will not close the door in the face of people seeking safety no matter what Gov. Rauner says. Welcoming refugees fleeing from violence is the best response to violence, and Mayor Emanuel has the responsibility of distinguishing our city policy from the governor's declaration.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott equates terrorism with Syrian refugees and is refusing to allow Syrian refugees into the State of Texas. Let him know you do not support this racist view and stand with the rights and safety of Syrian refugees by signing this petition against Governor Abbott's stance. Let him know he does not speak for Texas.

We are all horrified by the terrorist attacks in Paris, Beirut, and other parts of the world, and mourn the loss of innocent lives. But an increasing number of reactionary governors across the U.S. have used these tragedies to announce that they will stop all acceptance of Syrian refugees. We stand against this collective and cruel punishment of refugees. These individuals are escaping the very same terrorism that the world has witnessed in Paris and Beirut. Syrians have been killed by the thousands, millions have been displaced, and their entire livelihoods destroyed by the likes of ISIS and the Assad regime. The United States must be steadfast in its commitment to remain a sanctuary for refugees fleeing political and religious persecution—from all across the world. We demand these governors stop using their hatred and xenophobia to shut out Syrian refugees who are in dire need of normalcy and safety. We call on these governors to refrain from making decisions rooted in misinformation and fear. Let us remember the words etched on the Statue of Liberty, a symbol of a long tradition of welcoming immigrants, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Syrians should not be forced to die by violence, for lack of shelter, or because we believe we are not called to extend mercy and care. We are called, and we must listen.

We cannot let fear keep us from doing what is right. These refugees need our help. There has to be a better way then a total halt on accepting refugees, such as stricter restrictions or a more thorough approval processes--instead of a blanket "no." These people, these humans, are not our enemy.

UPDATE: Governor Fallin has released a statement urging President Obama to suspend the resettlement of Syrian refugees in the U.S. She has not made a clear statement about whether she will join other governors in attempting to deny all refugee entry into Oklahoma. Legally, governors are not allowed to make this decision but that does not mean they won't try. Keep spreading this petition and let her know that Oklahomans want to welcome the suffering with open arms and help them in the best way that we can. Syrian refugees are fleeing for their lives and the lives of their children. This country is a symbol of freedom and hope to those who are suffering, and refusing those who need protection is signing their death warrant. Rather than refuse to accept refugees, Governor Fallin and other state governors should be working with the federal government to create efficient and effective screening processes so that our state can welcome those who are suffering. The protection of ALL human life should be our top priority.

Presidential candidate Senator Ted Cruz jut said, in the wake of last week's attacks, that the United States should admit Christian, but not Muslim, refugees. The idea of placing religious requirements on people fleeing war and persecution is downright ridiculous, and President Obama has already called out the idea as such. Join us in telling Sen. Cruz that his behavior is un-presidential, and un-American and demand he cease pandering to Islamophobes with his offensive rhetoric.

The devastating terrorist attacks in Paris are tragic and heartbreaking. Therefore, we resist the urge to respond by with more terror and tragedy. and move to respond, instead, with mercy and compassion. Refugees in Paris fled their homeland to escape this very violence. Closing the borders will not harm terrorists, only those fleeing from terrorists. Civilians in Syria and elsewhere are suffering under ISIS. Bombing innocent civilians is exactly the act causing this outrage in the first place. Violence, oppression and exploitation started this mess. War will not get us out. Instead, let's launch ground troops of compassion and launch a campaign to destroy poverty.

We are seeing a repeat of Hitler and not doing enough to make a difference.