New York has had a very special visitor this month... Little Amal! She is the giant puppet representation of a 10 year old Syrian refugee girl, at the heart of a global event called 'The Walk'. The unique puppet is larger than life, at 12 feet (3.65 meters) tall.
Since July 2021 Amal has travelled through 85 cities, and been welcomed at 190 unique events, reaching an estimated 1 million people along the route of the 12 countries she has visited. Her visits represent all children fleeing war, violence and persecution and each with their own story.
Today, Amal visited a neighborhood that has, for nearly 200 years, been home to immigrants seeking a new life in the United States... the historic Lower East Side. I was so excited to be there this afternoon, to help welcome Amal. She began her journey by the Tenement Museum, where she heard of the immigrant families who used to call that building home. Then she journeyed down Broome Street, welcomed with celebratory music, past a historic synagogue, greeting the community there. Finally she continued down Broome Street, to meet the crowds in Chinatown.
Her events have been a fun gathering of communities across the city this month, but one that makes us remember the plight of those escaping horrors in search of a better life.
My video features the highlights of her journey today.
