Customers to Lane County businesses may see a new poster displayed in windows. A group is asking stores and restaurants to put up a flyer stating “Bridges, Not Walls.” The initiative is meant to bring awareness to immigrants in the Eugene/Springfield community.
Joel Iboa is with the Integration Network for Immigrants in Lane County. He says the group is launching their “Bridges, Not Walls” initiative to send a welcoming message to immigrants and refugees.
Iboa: “The primary interest of this group is the integration of the immigrant population into every facet of life in Lane County. A lot of immigrant populations, even if they’ve lived here for decades, continue to be disenfranchised and not a part of the larger conversation.”
Iboa says the message is not directed at a particular political party, although he does note the current political climate has been challenging for minorities.
The Network—which is made up of members of local governments, non-profits, and individuals—say at least 50 businesses have agreed to display the “Bridges, Not Walls” poster.
Businesses interested in a "Bridges, Not Walls" poster can visit the group's Facebook page.
Follow Kyra Buckley on Twitter @krbuckle.