A Norfolk resident urged the City Council to issue a public statement defending due process for foreign crew members detained and deported after accusations while Carnival cruise ships dock in Norfolk. "Who will stand up for our values? Labor organizations, faith leaders, humanitarian or civil rights groups? Who? I have a suggestion. You," said Tom Reel.

Reel described accounts that Filipino crew members with visas were detained and deported without what he called adequate process, and he said he had drafted two sample statements the council could use. "I'm not asking Norfolk to interfere with government agents doing their job lawfully. Neither am I asking Norfolk to promulgate policies for Carnival Cruise Line's internal affairs. I am asking only for a principled statement that favors both the rule of law and the golden rule," Reel said.

Why it matters: Reel said he feared silence would be interpreted as complicity and asked the council to act publicly to reaffirm the city's values while stopping short of interfering with lawful investigations. He left sample statements for the clerk and acknowledged the council might edit or decline to issue them.

Council action: The remarks were offered as public comment; no council motion or vote was recorded in response to Reel's request during the meeting.