Claremont : Sanctuary Effort Resumed

A group of religious, peace and student organizations has announced plans to resume its efforts to have voters declare Claremont a sanctuary for Central American refugees.

The Circle of Refuge Coalition announced in June that it would attempt to qualify a sanctuary measure for the November ballot, but then postponed the referendum drive. Charles Gelsinger, a coalition spokesman and co-director of the Interfaith Peace Center in La Verne, said the campaign to qualify the measure for the April ballot will start by Dec. 1.

The coalition has opened what it calls a “humanitarian aid warehouse” in Los Angeles to provide assistance to Central American refugees. Gelsinger said the warehouse, which was donated by the city of Los Angeles, will be used to collect and distribute clothes and other donated items for refugees throughout the Los Angeles area. The warehouse is at 411 E. 1st Street and is open only on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.