College students at Marquette University in Wisconsin reported they held a “Refugee and Migrant Simulation” this past week “to raise awareness about the refugee and migrant crisis happening throughout the world.”
Students also attended a “Border Awareness Experience” trip to El Paso, Texas over spring break.
Participants in the simulation were given a pretend name and age, a few property items, and a blindfold for use in simulation exercises. They were then divided into small groups and went through the course designed to raise awareness.
Some of the simulation courses in which the students participated in, included crossing border lines, being interviewed, and being placed in an asylum room.
The student publication, the Marquette Wire, reported that “Guards led every course and scenario, yelling at the participants and treating them similarly to how migrants and refugees are treated.” The Wire also reported that “This simulation offered a lot of important statistics about migrants and refugees, including how the U.S. has a policy that allows only a certain number of people to be granted asylum despite the thousands seeking help.”
The seven-course simulation was designed “to eliminate stereotypes that people associate with refugees and migrants.”
Nick Truog, a senior student in the College of Arts and Sciences helped designed the simulation at the university aimed at raising awareness. He is quoted as saying, “Our goal is to replace the name-calling and stigmas with educational awareness.” He added, “The best way we can learn is through our peers, and although this is nowhere near the experiences that migrants face, it has the power to start a conversation.”
Members of Sigma Lambda Beta, the Center for Peacemaking, Youth Empowered to Succeed and Students for Justice in Palestine at the university, sponsored the event.
A student, Katie Lane Frei, also participated in a “Border Awareness Experience” trip to El Paso, Texas, during spring break. Frei was reported to say that it was a great opportunity for her to hear personal stories from migrants. She said, “This simulation lets me put myself in their shoes and has taught me how to take action to help migrants and refugees.”
According to the University’s website, Marquette University is a Catholic and Jesuit university located near the heart of downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
In September, Pope Francis was in the states to give his first public address in America. As reported by Breitbart News, the Pope identified himself as “the son of an immigrant family” and said “American Catholics are committed to building a society which is truly tolerant and inclusive” and to rejecting “every form of unjust discrimination.” He also said that this openness to diversity must include a respect for “their right to religious liberty.”
Breitbart News’ John Nolte reported in February that Pope Francis attacked Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s idea to build a border on the U.S. Mexico-border calling it un-Christian.
As reported by Breitbart Texas on April 16, Pope Francis visited the Greek island of Lesbos and took twelve Muslim refugees back to Rome with him on his papal airplane. The twelve included three families who have had their homes bombed during the Syrian war. According to the statement from the Vatican, “the Pope had wished to make a gesture of welcome and solidarity on behalf of the refugees.”
In December after the COP21 climate change conference in Paris, the Pope again addressed climate but added, “it is now or never,” as reported by Breitbart News.
Breitbart News has reported that Catholic Charities is one of the “non-profit” Christian organizations that have been reported to be profiting from a $1 billion federal program to resettle refugees, 40 percent of which are Muslim. Other such organizations include the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, World Relief Corporation, Church World Service, and the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Service of the Episcopal Church of the USA (also referred to as Episcopal Migration Ministries).
At least one of the terrorists who took part in the Paris terrorist attacks in November entered Europe by masquerading as a refugee just six weeks before the attacks, as reported by Breitbart London.
Lana Shadwick is a writer and legal analyst for Breitbart Texas. She has served as a prosecutor and an associate judge. Follow her on Twitter @LanaShadwick2
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