As I stood along Main Street that Sunday, I was reminded again how strong Dayton is when we come together. Peoples from all walks of life, of varying ethnicities, ages and races, came to speak up for immigration rights. For many, the recent calls for deportation and ICE raids directly impact their parents, siblings, and children. For everyone in our city, they rip away our friends, neighbors, and business owners who have helped to make Dayton thrive.
According to the New American Economy, a bipartisan research organization, in 2019 immigrants made up 5% of the total population in Montgomery County, yet represent a much greater portion of many economic sectors such as manufacturing (8.3% of workforce), hospitality (8.2% of workforce), transportation (7.7% of workforce), and STEM industries (10.9% of workforce). In the last 6 years, there has been a continued influx of immigrants and refugees to the Dayton area and our community is stronger for it.
In the last decade, Dayton has seen new businesses moving downtown, renovations of historic architecture, and new construction of community spaces. When I think about Dayton in another four years, I hope to see these spaces and our town continuing to grow and thrive. To do that, we need every single person in our community here with us, without hate, and without fear. The growing diversity in our city makes Dayton a beautiful, growing metropolis, but to maintain this trend, our communities need to tell ICE they are not welcome here.
Local organizations have taken the lead on ensuring immigrants in Dayton know their rights and are protected. Places like Welcome Dayton, the Miami Valley Immigration Coalition, and Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE) offer opportunities to stay informed and volunteer directly in the community. Knowing your rights when it comes to immigration can be a powerful form of protest. For a larger impact, you can contact the Dayton City Commission and urge them to enact legislation which would fully prevent local law enforcement from working with I.C.E. On a broader level, contact your national representatives and express the need for increased pathways to citizenship, more resources for immigrants, and reprimand mass deportations.
Change won’t happen overnight. It may not even happen in a week, but in bringing our collective voices together, we can enact change for those around us who matter most. For our friends, our families, our neighbors, and favorite local businesses, we can push back against the inhumane detainments and deportations we have seen in the last three weeks. Together, we can keep our community strong.
Amber Prater, MPH, CHES® is a graduating MD student at the Boonshoft School of Medicine and the Health Equity Chair for Healthcare for All Ohioans.
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