Staten Island's migrant-related headlines continue to be dominated by images of irate demonstrators, posters with foul language, and police barricades, but some locals are attempting to show the thousands of migrants who have entered the borough over the past year another side of it.
According to people and mutual assistance organizations that have leaped into action to assist their new neighbors, this includes trying to make the newcomers feel welcome — or at least nourished — by sharing meals, making calls, buttering rolls, and giving out pizza.
Locals Left No Reason To Not Criticis The Eatery
Last year, the eatery received a lot of criticism from the locals for giving away free pies to hungry refugees at nearby shelters. Although the reaction and the giveaways hurt Bongiovanni's business, he claimed that they ultimately helped the neighborhood resolve the problem.
While Bongiovanni claimed that Travis is now a more tranquil place, growing protests in other areas have renewed urgency for debunking stereotypes and promoting friendly encounters between native Staten Islanders and the new immigrants.
The Breaking The Bread, Building The Bonds
The Staten Island Immigrants Council organized a dinner on Wednesday night called "Breaking Bread, Building Bonds" at Yeshiva Sanz in Port Richmond to provide locals and newcomers a chance to socialize over food.
Tom Scarangello, the Staten Island representative for Governor Kathy Hochul, and members of the NYC Commission on Human Rights were among the almost 100 attendees. According to Abou Sy Diakhate, co-chair of the Immigrants Council, the attendance greatly outstripped the organizers' initial estimates of 40–60 persons.
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