Cook: The county mayor, a KKK leader and refugees from around the world

An attendee of the We All Belong vigil shields a candle from the breeze Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, at Coolidge Park in Chattanooga, Tenn. The event was part of a national day of action to put out the message that no Muslim ban is wanted and to welcome refugees. An attendee of the We All Belong vigil shields a candle from the breeze Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, at Coolidge Park in Chattanooga, Tenn. The event was part of a national day of action to put out the message that no Muslim ban is wanted and to welcome refugees.

By David Cook January 25, 2020 4 min read

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Refugees

Tarig, a Sudanese refugee and production manager at Mad Priest Coffee, works behind the counter at Mad Priest Coffee Thursday, March 22, 2018 in Chattanooga, Tenn. Mad Priest Coffee will soon be opening another location in the downtown Chattanooga area.

Jasmin Foric from Bosnia and Najar Alsad from Iraq hold candles Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, during a We All Belong vigil at Coolidge Park in Chattanooga, Tenn. The ACLU of Tennessee, the American Muslim Advisory Council, Bridge Refugee Services, and the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition held statewide rallies and vigils to denounce the Muslim ban that was set to go into effect Wednesday before it was stopped by a judges order.

Who are we?

Who are we not?

For weeks, Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger has been one signature away from life-saving mercy and grace for hundreds of refugees around the world.

One signature.

According to The Geneva Convention, a refugee is someone fleeing his or her country because of persecution: their race, religion or political beliefs. Refugees are running for their lives.