Action 3 News - Omaha, Nebraska News, Weather, and Sports | Fremont Residents Want Better Treatment
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Fremont, NE - Debate over an anti-immigration proposal in Fremont is moving forward. In the past year, an effort to ban employers from hiring illegal immigrants and ban landlords from renting to illegal immigrants has caused some controversy between residents.
The proposal is currently tied up in Appeals court. A new community group called "Nebraska is Home-Fremont" is urging Fremont neighbors to put their beliefs aside and focus on being friendly.
Lined up, side by side, Fremont residents stand together. "I believe there's a lot more to people than just where they come from," said "Nebraska is Home-Fremont" group leader, Gabby Ayala.
Roughly 60 members from the "Nebraska is Home-Fremont" community group ask their fellow neighbors to open their hearts to everyone. Some residents in Fremont believe the city is divided over immigration issues. They say a new billboard they put up is the first step to making the community whole again. "People will sometimes look at you like you come from outside this world," said Ayala.
The group believes displaying the billboard in the middle of town will make people think twice before stereotyping or judging someone. "We can live together from all of our different perspectives and we can believe different things on pieces of policy and still be neighbors with each other," said group leader, Kristin Ostrom.
"Nebraska is Home-Fremont" plans to hold community events like picnics and open discussions related to the immigration system.
Coming together is something two best friends from different backgrounds want to happen so they are treated equal. "She means the world to me and we've been friends since the age of 6 and we're 14. I'd be lost without her," said Devon Jones.
Posted by: Reporter, Erika Summers, esummers@action3news.com
