The League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria will discuss welcoming cities at its Drinks and Dialogue event 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 16 at the Lariat Steakhouse, 2232 West Glen Ave. In a time when so much in our country seems not to be working, we not only need to focus on what’s going on nationally, but what is going on in our own backyards.
Anthony Walraven, with ChangePeoria, will lead a discussion on the issue of welcoming cities. According to ChangePeoria, few topics are more prone to misinformation than undocumented immigrants and efforts such as welcoming cities that exist to protect them. The topic often never moves past sound bites and animus. The truth is that undocumented people livelaw abiding lives where they work, send their children to school, and contribute to every community they live in. ChangePeoria believes that declaring Peoria a welcoming city not only allows the most vulnerable citizens to come out of the shadows, but it also makes our city safer, more attractive to live in, and more economically prosperous. Social time begins at 5 p.m. Food and beverages are available for purchase. The event is free and open to the public.Drinks and Dialogue is offered on the 3rd Wednesday of the month, starting at 5:30 p.m. and ending promptly at 6:30 p.m., always at a local restaurant, to discuss local, state and national topics relating to approved LWV positions aimed at “Making Democracy Work.”