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Interfaith leaders urge 'respect and justice' for immigrants at New Britain council meeting
Summary
Reverend Dr. Jonathan Decounts, representing the New Britain Area Interfaith Conference, urged the council to uphold due process and treat immigrants with respect, saying immigrants 'should not be slandered, devalued, or demonized.'
Reverend Dr. Jonathan Decounts addressed the New Britain Common Council during public participation to represent the New Britain Area Interfaith Conference and call for respect and justice for immigrants in the city.
'Immigrants should not be slandered, devalued, or demonized,' Decounts told the council, saying the interfaith group supports due process under the law and asked government actors to follow and enact fair procedures. He framed the appeal in moral terms — urging members to remember that each person is 'made in the image of God' — and asked the council to support policies that protect immigrants from scapegoating.
Council members acknowledged the remarks; Alderwoman Scott praised the interfaith effort and said she looked forward to further engagement. No ordinance or motion related to immigration was proposed or voted on during the meeting; the comment was delivered as part of the public-comment period.
