Letters: SC should welcome refugees, not fear them

S.997, the anti-refugee bill, is a deplorable attempt to close the doors of South Carolina to those heroes of freedom, the refugees, who have left behind everything to escape terrorism and bigotry and find freedom.

We need a bill in place of S. 997: a bill that makes South Carolina a safe haven for refugees; that encourages our citizens to learn about these heroes who have suffered unbelievable hardships in their fight against terrorism and struggle for freedom; a bill that encourages their stories to be told; a bill that encourages South Carolinians to assist refugees in their many difficult adjustments to a new culture and to be ambassadors to these refugees as we represent the United States.

I propose that a month be designated as “National Refugee Month.” I propose that South Carolina be the first to make a statement to the nation that we are not a people who draft laws out of fear but that we are a people who courageously rise above fear and stand firm in our commitment to freedom.