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Pushing Back On Sanctuary City Call Through Protest in Wheeling

Residents clash downtown

Photos by Scott McCloskey Opposing views on immigration are represented Friday during a demonstration in Wheeling.

WHEELING — People with opposing views lined Chapline Street Friday, some calling for Wheeling to declare itself a “sanctuary city” for those living in the U.S. illegally and others who say they don’t support breaking federal law.

Between the pro-sanctuary city rally and the counter-rally, 150 and 200 people ultimately attended, with a majority opposing the idea of sanctuary city status. They spoke of a desire to adhere to federal law and support for legal immigration. Those supporting sanctuary city status said immigration of all sorts is at the core of an American ideals and believe a fear of illegal immigration is unwarranted.

Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott and Vice Mayor Chad Thalman have said there’s been no discussion about making Wheeling a sanctuary city, and there are no plans to have such discussions. However, the pro-sanctuary city rally was organized by a local activist group known as the Eclosion Collective, and it was quickly met with opposition.

“I don’t think they even understand what a sanctuary city is,” Joe White, a co-organizer of the counter-rally, said. “They seem to think it’s this thing that has more to do with immigration than breaking the law. The city had already said that there’s no way Wheeling will be a sanctuary city, but we wanted to show up anyway to show a little force.”

A sanctuary city is a jurisdiction that has adopted policies to protect unauthorized immigrants by either prohibiting local law enforcement from questioning individuals based on their citizenship status or preventing law enforcement from prosecuting immigration law violations. At least 39 American cities can be considered sanctuaries.

Opponents of the idea gathered outside the City-County Building at about 2 p.m. and steadily streamed in, carrying signs and American flags. Proponents of sanctuary status began arriving about an hour later — a few at first, with more joining as the afternoon continued, accompanied by music from a portable stereo.

A spokesperson for the Eclosion Collective said the group was pleased all were there to express their views, even those with whom the group may disagree. They recognized the show of disagreement, and said the group would discuss how it may move forward with the issue.

Vincent Caruso of Wheeling stood with sanctuary city supporters, but he said his attendance was more a way to oppose President Donald Trump. He said he finds Trump’s nationalistic outlook — and nationalism in general — a “dangerous concept” in a world larger than the United States, and compared Trump to a dictator.

Caruso suggested more sanctuary city supporters would have attended if they did not feel afraid.

Members of the counter-rally held their own fears. Early in the rally, Tom Coram, a retired coal mine foreman, said some voiced concern there would be violence, and he found himself reassuring them the demonstration would remain peaceful.

The demonstrations remained calm. At their most intense, a few members of the counter-rally crossed the street to engage sanctuary city supporters in lively debate.

White believes Friday was an accurate representation of the Ohio Valley’s interest in adhering to federal and state law. He said it’s clear Wheeling does not want to be a sanctuary city.

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