DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The mayor of the small eastern Iowa city of Swisher announced recently he would defy state orders to halt the acceptance of Syrian refugees. The public statement gained plenty of attention, and some local residents say they’re still unsure what to think about the sudden spotlight on their community.
Mayor Christopher Taylor says a proclamation he released Wednesday was a symbolic move to show that orders by Gov. Terry Branstad are not a reflection of all Iowans.
At least one City Council member says she disagreed with Taylor’s move. Another local says residents were surprised by the news about the city near Cedar Rapids.
Taylor says the response to the proclamation has been mostly positive, though he expects some of Swisher’s roughly 900 residents disagreed with it.
