Antelope High School

Home of the Titans

Principal, John Becker
Phone: (916)782-6565 ext. 1047

Emma Martz
7801 Titan Drive
4635 Elverta Road, Antelope, CA 95843
Antelope Ca, 95843

The Honorable Jerry Brown

Governor of California
c/o State Capitol, Suite 1173
Sacramento, Ca 95814

To Whom It May Concern:

As the state of California remains negligent to the unforeseen and horrific facts, it is indirectly contributing to
the suffering and sorrow of the Syrian people. I am writing on behalf of myself, Emma Martz, both a high
school student and a concerned American citizen and California resident. As United States President Donald
Trump delays the admission of Syrian refugees, our country is allowing women and children, human beings, to
undergo violence, malnutrition, and overall lack of vital resources. This continuous suspension of Syrian
refugees opposes the United States proud and honorable history of accepting and welcoming both refugees and
immigrants. In order for the United States to remain a symbol compassion, generosity, and leadership, we must
aid Syrian citizens in their escape from the tragically destructive war and relieve them of their repressive
leadership.

Syria and its citizen have endured immense torment and distress for the past 5 years, due to a gravely
destructive civil war. Not only has the countrys economy and infrastructure been desolated as a result of the
war, it has taken an unimaginable toll on the Syrian people, both physically and emotionally. Since the crisis
first emerged a shockingly estimated 470,000 people have died as a result of the war and the number of
wounded is put at 1.9 million claims a report issued by the Syrian Center for Policy Research (Ian Black).
Syrian citizens have been greatly affected by the power struggle happening within their country. The perilous
conditions they have been subjected to as a result of the war has caused a mass mount death and injury. The
physical wellness of the Syrian people are being greatly affected by the sickening circumstances, so much so,
that approximately 400,000 out of the 470,000 of war caused deaths reported by the SCPR, were directly due
to violence, as for the remaining 70,000 victims fell as a result of lack of adequate health services and
medicineas well as lack of food, clean water, sanitation and proper housing (Ian Black). There are Syrian
citizens dying because of the unfortunate consequences of the war. They are in an outcry for help in this
devastating time, only to be betrayed by fellow human beings. Rescuing and liberating the Syrian people from
these unimaginable circumstances requires more than just acknowledgement, it requires action.

The current Syrian refugee crisis has come to disturbingly resemble those in WWII, due to the fact that their is a
great disconnection between refugees and foreign communications, along with a significant lack of essential
resources. Moreover, the refusal of Syrian refugees mostly stems from a fearful paranoia of terrorism felt by
some American citizens and congress, due to previous crimes committed by radical Islamic terrorist, there has
been an evolving negative stigma and prejudice built around those from the Middle East, also referred to as
xenophobia. Although, it is important to note that generalizations and pre-conceived notions, affected both
parties, not only those being misjudged. In accordance, a similar fearful excuse was made during WWII
regarding Jewish refugees. According to Allen Lichtenstein, co-author of "FDR and the Jews" and a history

4635 Elverta Road, Antelope, CA 95843

 Antelope High School
Home of the Titans
Principal, John Becker
Phone: (916)782-6565 ext. 1047

professor at American University, the refugee limitations in the United

States during WWII was influenced by anti-Semitism and fear that Nazis
"would plant agents, spies and saboteurs among the Jewish refugees (Lichtman). Furthermore, the poor
treatment of refugees by America in both World War II and the present, is

presumed to be replicated if a change does not occur. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Illinois, makes a shocking
revelation about the current refugee crisis, that ties back to the mistreatment of the Jews and Japanese during
WWII ; when the American government shipped back and refused Jewish refugees and forcibly boarded
Japanese-Americans into internment camps "we regretted it and we will regret this as well," this referring to the
denial of Syrian refugees. There is no doubt that the denial of Syrian refugees will be like turning a cold
shoulder to extreme hate and violence, and contributing to the suffering of human beings. America has made the
mistake of ignorance time and time again, we must learn from these mistakes and promote change. Therefore,
although there a shocking similarities between the current refugee crisis and WWII, the only way for America
to progress and avoid repeating its dark history, is acceptance.

Currently lawmakers and the Trump administration have halted and suspend the acceptance of 10,000 refugees,
a plan devised by former president Barack Obama, I believe this suspension is absurd and wrongfully promotes
and accepts the mistreatment of Syrian refugees. Syrian citizens have endured much suffering both physically
and emotionally as a result of the war, and there is no telling how serious the conditions may be. The war has
affected their entire way of living causing 13.8 million Syrians have lost their source of livelihood (Ian
Black). The lack of jobs due to safety concerns, make it almost impossible for citizens to support themselves
financially and still fuel their strength to combat the evil forces they must face every single day in their
backyards. They are calling out for help, for means to survive, for compassion and empathy, America shall feel
obligated to shield these beaten and battered human beings from further exploitation. Moreover, some have
brought up there concerns with the acceptance of Syrian refugees being infested with radical Islamic terrorist,
however, there arguments are invalid and have no feasible evidence backing. The U.S. refugee-screening
process is extremely difficult to get through and most refugees reside in camps for months to years (Don
Kusler) while each individual is being evaluated and reviewed for possible future entrance. By going against the
nations virtues concerning refugee, these lawmakers are creating a divide in America that could possibly be
helping the Islamic State. In establishing this us against them in America by turning away desperate families,
they are sending the ultimate massage that fear, prejudice and even outright hate are acceptable (Don Kusler)
in America. Thus, the knowledgeable policy the nation is promoting, defies Americas core beliefs and history..

A vote to restrict the admittance of Syrian refugees is a vote supporting the unjust treatment of defenseless
human beings. It is a vote that violates the nations core beliefs regarding refugees, and most importantly it is a
vote that promotes hatred and suffering. In allowing America to recreate a history the nation now strongly
opposes, highlights some of our greatest faults as a country, misinformation and paranoia. Given the true facts
of this life or death matter, I strongly urge you, Governor Jerry Brown, to take all I said into consideration and
vote the way you feel will rightfully upholds Americas truest values of, Compassion, Generosity, and
Leadership. Thank you for your time and undivided attention, I am hopeful you will do what is not only right
for the state of California, but the people of Syria that are in a grave state of disparity.

Sincerely,

Emma Martz
Antelope High School Student
Respectful. Responsible. Proud. GO TITANS!
4635 Elverta Road, Antelope, CA 95843