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World Refugee Day 2019 in Pictures

World Refugee Day

Relive World Refugee Day 2019 in downtown Pittsburgh with JFCS!

Attached are pictures taking you through our day, including the following:

  • A citizen oath ceremony welcoming 15 new US citizens.
  • Lawrence (Larry) Bartlett, Director of the State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (that oversees the US government’s refugees programs).
  • Matthew Reynolds from UNHCR (Office of the UN High Commissioner of Refugees, the UN Refugee Agency), USA branch.
  • Mark Hetfield, President & CEO, of HIAS. Mr. Hetfield was last in Pittsburgh in the days immediately following October 27, since the Tree of Life shooter referenced HIAS as a motive for his actions.
  • JFCS Director of Refugee and Immigration, Leslie Aizenman
  • Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto
  • The amazing food and culture inside of Market Square’s World Refugee Day 2019 Celebration!

Mark Hetfield of HIAS cheered on the City of Pittsburgh for its openness to refugees: “I want to thank the people of Pittsburgh for welcoming refugees to your beautiful city and for giving them a chance at a new life after they have had to flees their countries….Thank you for being stronger than hate.”

The event drew hundreds of refugees and immigrants, and a brisk Market Square lunch crowd who stopped to enjoy the entertainment and sample the array of exotic foods from Syria, Turkey, Venezuela and more. A quick look around saw samosa, baba ganoush, falafel, spicy beef and chicken, fresh made breads and wraps, and signature desserts.

JFCS gratefully recognizes all the community partners responsible for putting this event together: AJAPO, Literacy Pittsburgh, All for All, Global Wordsmiths, South Hills Interfaith Movement, the American Red Cross of Southwestern Pennsylvania and Hello Neighbor. The event was partly sponsored by Allegheny Health Network and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.

To learn more about what we do, visit us here.

Attached photos (photography by Christopher Sprowls, csprowlsphoto@gmail.com)

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