#EveryoneIsWelcome: The Way Los Angeles Welcomed Visitors from the Middle East Is Inspiring
The people of Los Angeles teamed up with the LA tourism board to send a clear message; everyone, and they mean EVERYONE, is welcomed in Los Angeles. The initiative came to life to counter President Donald Trump’s plans to to travel ban Muslims, as well as build a wall along the US southern border.
On Saturday, hundreds of volunteers from hotels, restaurants, airports, and other tourism businesses gave an unusual welcome to travelers flying into Los Angeles. They stood from 8 am to 2 pm in a park north of the airport’s runway holding signs saying “Welcome” in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Arabic.
This event came a few weeks after the tourism board released a music video; showing people from different ethnicities and backgrounds doing different activities near iconic LA tourism spots; including the Original Farmers Market, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Venice Beach and Olvera Street.
Ernest Wooden Jr., chief executive of Discover Los Angeles stated: “Diversity and inclusivity have always been cornerstones of Los Angeles’ culture, but there has never been a more crucial time to reinforce these points.”
