New York, NY, October 15, 2016 — The IRC condemns the planned attack on Somali-born members of the Garden City, Kansas community and calls on elected officials to do the same. The foiled plot is a disturbing reminder of how unfounded fear and hatred among a few people can turn into violence that devastates entire communities.
We work hand in hand with members of the Garden City community to help refugees who've fled violence to resettle and restart their lives. This is a community that welcomes and supports people of all backgrounds. In the coming days, we'll partner with members of the community and law enforcement to reassure refugees that Garden City is a safe place to rebuild their lives. In the meantime, we thank law enforcement officials for their diligence and professionals, and for their care in speaking to the local community.