Thank You, North Texas, for Your Powerful Witness of Oneness at DFW Protest

The signs hoisted high by demonstrators at DFW International Airport last weekend reflected the bold and diverse North Texans who made up the protest against President Donald Trump's new travel ban.While the ethnicity, race or religion of each poster board's author may have varied, a common theme ran through them: "Love is Love. Kindness is Everything."The powerful witness of oneness that unfolded in our community erupted soon after word came Friday of the executive order.We present this list with the caveat that it doesn't even scratch the surface. But may this partial accounting of local heroes serve as a loud thank you to everyone who played a constructive role in what began as a chaotic tragedy:-- As many as 200 lawyers converged on DFW to offer free legal aid to the detainees stuck there. The volunteers included individual practitioners, retired lawyers, big firm lawyers, immigration lawyers, criminal lawyers.Attorneys Chris Hamilton, Angela Hunt and Matthew Mitzner led a powerful group that included former Judge Carlos Cortez as well as lawyers John Atkins, Chris Dachniwsky, Amanda Ghagar, Jiroko Lopez, Majed Nachawati, Sonali Patnaik, Peter Schulte, Dena Stroh, Martin Valko, David Weiner, Ross Williams and Paul Wingo.Members of the Dallas Hispanic Bar Association, the J.L. Turner Legal Association and new Dallas Bar President Rob Crain also pitched in.Bill Holston from Human Rights Initiative of North Texas kept things organized as best possible and lawyer Bobby Abtahi provided info to some of those detainees who spoke only Farsi. Nonprofits including Catholic Charities and Mosaic Family Services pitched in as well.-- Alia Salem, executive director of the DFW chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, graciously and repeatedly thanks so many others. And yet she deserves perhaps the biggest thanks of all for her tireless work throughout the weekend and beyond.-- Restaurant staffs used the language of food to help. Oddfellows owner Amy Wallace Cowan and chef Anastacia Quinones helped coordinate an effort that included food or services from Braindead Brewing; Cane Rosso; Dude, Sweet Chocolate; Emporium Pies; Kitchen LTO; Lucia; Parigi and Trompo.  Continue reading...