KINDERHOOK, N.Y. – Residents and religious leaders gathered outside of Congressman Chris Gibson’s office in Columbia County, protesting his stance on the settlement of Syrian refugees.
Dozens re-created a live nativity scene to represent hope and hospitality rather than fear and exclusion this holiday season.
Gibson voted last month to pass additional requirements for refugees to gain asylum. That bill is now in the Senate and President Obama has vowed to veto it.
Protesters wearing costumes, accompanied by actual livestock, sang Christmas hymns and urged the Congressman to change his mind.
“Refugees, people fleeing from violence like Jesus, Mary and Joseph that very first Christmas, they were refugees fleeing from the state and those people are welcome here, people from Syria,” said Joe Paparone, a protester.
Representative Gibson issued a statement in response to the protest.
“This Bill passed overwhelmingly with strong bipartisan support, including 47 Democrats (including four Democrats from New York), strong enough to over-ride a presidential veto,” the statement said. “I firmly believe we can at once keep our people secure while remaining true to our American values, but some improvements to our current process are necessary.”