Cuyahoga County, City of Cleveland and Global Cleveland issued the following statements:
“It’s wrong to disrespect some of the 43 million immigrants who live in this country, who are an important part of our country, and who make our country better. Our community is a better place because of the mix of people we have here. And it is particularly outrageous to use vile and racist language to describe the people of entire countries and a continent. The good people of the United States should not sit quietly by in the face of hateful insults coming out of the White House,” said Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish.
“Immigrants and refugees are a significant part of the tapestry that makes the city of Cleveland so unique. We welcome people from all around the world and are ready to provide them with the tools to succeed,” said Mayor Frank G. Jackson, City of Cleveland.
“On behalf of the 112 different ethnic communities in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County, Global Cleveland is proud to work with and for, we express our collective dismay and disgust at the characterization of the nations of Africa, Central and South America, and Haiti. Cleveland and Cuyahoga county have had long standing relationships and friendships with our sisters and brothers coming from all over the world, but specifically with people from these maligned nations. With County Executive Armond Budish and with Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson, we reach out again with warmth and welcome to our newcomer families, students, entrepreneurs, job creators, nurses, teachers, landscapers, hotel room cleaners, sanitation engineers and police officers, and say thank you for coming to Northeast Ohio. Please know your families here and abroad are cherished by all of us. In the days leading up to Valentine’s Day, we say with full hearts and joy, we love you,” said Joe Cimperman, President, Global Cleveland.
