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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Cynthia Katz, Managing Attorney at HIAS
5:56:40
ยท
129 sec
Cynthia Katz, Managing Attorney at HIAS, provided testimony in support of proposed legislation to protect immigrant communities in New York City. She highlighted HIAS's long history of supporting refugees and asylum seekers, and emphasized the current climate of fear among their clients.
- HIAS was founded over 100 years ago to help Jews fleeing persecution and now supports refugees and asylum seekers of all faiths.
- Katz expressed gratitude for the City Council's support and commitment to helping vulnerable New Yorkers.
- She offered HIAS's assistance in the fight against xenophobia and urged continued support for immigrant communities.
Cynthia Katz
5:56:40
Thank you.
5:56:41
Thank you chair Chairwoman Aviles.
5:56:45
Unfortunately, my colleague Nathan Gargan did have to leave, but I am here.
5:56:50
My name is Cynthia Katz.
5:56:52
Thank you again.
5:56:53
I am the managing attorney at HIAS, and HIAS has been in New York probably from near the start of immigration or at least in modern record.
5:57:06
We were founded over 100 years ago to help Jews fleeing pogroms in Europe.
5:57:13
Today, HIAS stands for a world in which refugees and asylum seekers of all faiths find welcome here in New York City, as well as throughout our offices in the DC area, as well as in the rest of the world.
5:57:30
We are in favor of the proposed legislation.
5:57:34
We do participate.
5:57:36
Yesterday, I was at d 3, open arms meeting, for example, and got a chance to hear, not only as a legal service provider, which is what I am and greatly impacted, but I want to, first of all, thank you for your ongoing support and your commitment to helping the lives of New Yorkers who are the most vulnerable of New Yorkers.
5:58:01
We represent people who are petrified.
5:58:05
As many people have already testified today, our clients are scared, we are scared, and we are all, as I'm sure you can relate to, we are tired.
5:58:17
We ask for your ongoing help and we ask how can we help you to fight the good fight, the right side of this equation, to face down the xenophobes, and to provide that steady and supportive compass that you have already shown so many New Yorkers.
5:58:38
With that said, please please call out to us if we can provide any assistance, because the consequences as you know are dire.
5:58:49
Thank you so much.