Salem Sanctuary City Debate: Packed House Speaks Volumes

SALEM, MA – People gathered along the steps of Salem City Hall on Thursday night, bundled up against the frost and bearing messages in support of Salem's potential sanctuary city status. They were there for the City Council meeting inside, which discussed the proposed ordinance.

The supporters held signs that read, "Salem Sanctuary For Peace," and "El Amor de Dios es para Todos," which translates to "God's love is for everyone." They periodically popped into the City Council chambers – which were so crowded that people strained to hear what was happening from the halls – to check on the status of the ordinance.

After much discussion, City Council formed an ad-hoc committee to further address the ordinance consisting of all 11 councilors. A public hearing will likely be set, and councilors noted that they should try to find a place that could accommodate such a large crowd and be filmed by Salem Access TV.

The public comment inside carried a level of vigor that Salem is known for. Annalyssa Gypsy Murphy, a professor at two local colleges, said immigrants enrich the community, regardless of their documentation.

"This world is looking a lot like 1933 Germany," Murphy said.

Representative Paul Tucker and Salem Police Chief Mary Butler urged people to read the text of the ordinance – which doesn't change Salem's policy regarding undocumented immigrants, but makes it more permanent than a policy.

"This ordinance will not create a safe haven for criminals," said Tucker.

Ben Winthrop, of Salem, Andrea Aeschlimann, Lauren Noyes, and Tina Stoner were among those in front of City Hall Thursday night who had showed up to show support for Salem's sanctuary city status.

"Welcoming immigrants is on the right side of history," Winthrop said, adding that it's important that Salem be on that side. He said he once witnessed an ICE raid in North Carolina, where he was working as a union organizer.

"There's absolutely nothing more disgusting than watching the government breaking up a family at gunpoint in the middle of the night," Winthrop said.

Aeschlimann, of Salem, said she was showing support in part because her family is made up of immigrants. Her dad's from Chile and her mom's family are Ashkenazi Jews from Europe. Aeschlimann is also a teacher in Revere, and sees firsthand how talk of deportation has affected her students.

"The fear that's in their hearts is terrible," Aeschlimann said.

Noyes lives in Swampscott, and teaches high school students in Salem. She said her students are terrified, and it's affecting their learning. For Salem to become a sanctuary city would be a gesture that would help put their minds at ease.

"It's the boogeyman for some people," Noyes said about the opposition to immigration.

Salem's debate regarding sanctuary cities is a thread in the current national conversation regarding immigration. Somerville has stood in its sanctuary status, defiant against threats to pull federal funding, and while Boston isn't officially declared a sanctuary city, Mayor Marty Walsh has refused to back down from the city's support of immigrants.

Images via Taylor Rapalyea, Patch Staff