Program for newcomers fuels debate on illegals

The Rev. Clint Schnekloth, founder and CEO of Canopy NWA and pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Fayetteville, speaks Saturday during the rally.
The Rev. Clint Schnekloth, founder and CEO of Canopy NWA and pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Fayetteville, speaks Saturday during the rally.

FAYETTEVILLE -- A move by cities in Northwest Arkansas to declare themselves "welcoming cities" has drawn praise and condemnation by groups that believe such a declaration takes a stance on illegal aliens.

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Stephen Coger (left), director of the Arkansas Justice Collective, and local musician Adam Cox prepare to play music Saturday during the Don’t Deport Dad! rally in front of the Fayetteville Town Center. Ozark Indivisible and the Arkansas Justice Collective partnered to organize the rally to pressure the Washington County Sheriff’s Office to end its efforts to assist federal agencies in the deportation of residents.

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Residents sing Saturday during the rally.

The Welcoming Community initiative does not require, or even ask, a town to address immigration law, said supporters and spokesmen for two participating cities, Fayetteville and Springdale.

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