50 MIGRANTS ARRIVE UNANNOUNCED ON MARTHA’S VINEYARD, SOME NOT...

[DCEMA photos/HN edits]

The following is a media statement from the Dukes County Emergency Management Association (DCEMA):

“[Yesterday], 50 immigrants were shipped to Martha’s Vineyard by a chartered flight from Texas. Many don’t know where they are. They were told they would be given housing and jobs. Some were told they were going to New York. Islanders were given no notice, but jumped into action to support them. Everyone has a bed, has food, water, and healthcare. There is a play area for the children.

We will welcome every person sent here and make sure they are treated with the dignity and respect all people deserve. I cannot properly express how disgusted I am with the people who plotted this. It is beyond inhumane to secretly ship people across the country on a lie to try to create chaos to gain political points on Fox News or MAGA twitter. It is evil.

These immigrants were not met with chaos – they were met with compassion. We are a community and a nation that is stronger because of immigrants. The people in our community coming from all over with water, food, interpretation help, and other resources to support these immigrant families represent the best of America.”

“Due to an unexpected ongoing urgent humanitarian situation, Dukes County Emergency Management Association are opening emergency shelters tonight across the Island. ..”
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Julian Cyr:

“Developing situation on #MarthasVineyard where migrants arrived via charter flight from TX this afternoon. Islanders working hard to provide food + shelter — TY”

“… it’s pretty disgusting that a state or a governor or whoever this is would capitalize on the unfortunate, dire circumstances of these families who are just looking for a better life. To capitalize that for a political stunt or for a ‘gotcha’ moment. That’s just disgusting.” (via WCVB)

~ Julian Cyr, Mass State Senator representing the Cape & the Islands

Developing situation on #MarthasVineyard where migrants arrived via charter flight from TX this afternoon. Islanders working hard to provide food + shelter — TY @MVCommServices Sheriff Ogden @DukesCountyEM @DukesOffice #mapoli https://t.co/iMGUmmLLaX

— Julian Cyr (@JulianCyr) September 14, 2022

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Dylan Fernandes:

“Pulling into Martha’s Vineyard right now. An island that welcomes immigrants and is stronger and more vibrant because of them.”

“Currently immigrants are being dropped off on Martha’s Vineyard by chartered flights from Texas. Many don’t know where they are. They say they were told they would be given housing and jobs. Islanders we’re given no notice but are coming together as a community to support them.”

“Republicans who call themselves Christians have been plotting for some time to use human lives – men, women, and children – as a political pawns. It is evil and inhumane.”

“Our island jumped into action putting together 50 beds, giving everyone a good meal, providing a play area for the children, making sure people have the healthcare and support they need. We are a community that comes together to support immigrants.”

“The Governor of one of the biggest states in the nation has been spending time hatching a secret plot to round up & ship people-children, families-lying to them about where theyre going just to gain cheap political points on Tucker Calrson and MAGA twitter. It’s fucking depraved”

“These immigrants were not met with chaos, they were met with compassion. We are a community & nation that is stronger because of immigrants. The community coming together with water, food, interpretation help, & resources to support these families represent the best of America.”

~ Dylan Fernandes, State Rep., representing Falmouth, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket & Gosnold – his comments via Twitter…

The Governor of one of the biggest states in the nation has been spending time hatching a secret plot to round up & ship people-children, families-lying to them about where theyre going just to gain cheap political points on Tucker Calrson and MAGA twitter. It’s fucking depraved

— Dylan Fernandes (@RepDylan) September 15, 2022

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“Florida can confirm the two planes with illegal immigrants that arrived in Martha’s Vineyard [Wednesday] were part of the state’s relocation program to transport illegal immigrants to sanctuary destinations…”

~ statement from Office of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis… obtained by WCVB’s sister station WESH, in Orlando…

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State Sen. Julian Cyr, D-Truro, also railed against the political stunt. “This is deeply disgusting. This is a cruel ruse that manipulates families that are seeking a better life,” he said. He pointed out that these “fundamentally racist tactics” have been tried before. During the Civil Rights movement, segregationists tricked 95 Black families into moving to Hyannis. “And what happened is people in Hyannis helped the families and they stayed on Cape Cod,” Cyr said.

~ according to the MV Times…

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Developing situation… HN will provide updates as they become available.