In Israel, African immigrants find no refuge
This evening, like most recently, a crowd had massed in Tel Aviv's Lewinsky Park. Huddled under blankets, hundreds of immigrants milled across worn-down grass as speakers passed around a microphone, discussing upcoming demonstrations.
It was the second night of a "sleep-in" protest against the Israeli government's decision to issue detention orders to more than 4,000 African immigrants who have crossed illegally into Israel over the last several years.
Mutasim Ali, tall, with thin shoulders and a cellphone pressed to his ear, made his way through the park slowly. Every few steps, another person tapped his shoulder, shook his hand and asked for help.
One man wanted to know whether Ali could assist him in getting his detention summons delayed. Another had a question about how to file for refugee status. Ali's phone rang; it was a board member of the nonprofit group he leads. Another ring; this time it was a journalist.
http://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-c1-israel-immigrant-leader-20140326-dto,0,4714067.htmlstory
