A coalition of almost two dozen organizations in western Massachusetts are planning steps to assist undocumented immigrants in the wake of declarations this week from some national and local government leaders.
Mayor Domenic Sarno’s assertion that Springfield is not, and will not become, a sanctuary city, heighted anxiety in the immigrant community, according to Rose Bookbinder of the Pioneer Valley Workers Center.
"We are creating a mechanism as a community that we are calling ' sanctuary in the streets' that we are committing ourselves to protecting our immigrant communities," she said. " We really feel like in moments like this we have to depend on ourselves and find ways to resist locally."
President Donald Trump vowed to block federal funds for sanctuary cities, which in western Massachusetts include Amherst, Northampton, and Holyoke.
