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Meeting Planned For Immigrant Families Following Hate Incidents

By Andrea Flores

AURORA, Colo. (CBS4) - Community leaders from across Aurora are coming together Thursday night to provide support for the refugee and immigrant population following the recent election.

"We were hearing from our community that a lot of people were feeling really worried, and nervous and stressed," said Dr. Mara Kailin.

Dr. Mara Kailin
Dr. Mara Kailin (credit: CBS)

Kailin says many are on edge as President-elect Donald Trump makes his transition to the White House.

"Some people were reporting incidents of being harassed, or are victims of hate speech," Kailin said.

In the last few weeks, Aurora police says a family was targeted not once, but twice, by a bias-motivated crime.

The victim, who did not want to be identified, says the n-word and the letters "KKK" were spray painted across her front door.

door
(credit: CBS)

As a response to the unrest, Kailin decided to organize Aurora Together, a meeting to provide resources and answer questions from immigrant and refugee families who aren't clear on where their rights stand.

"Many of the refugees that are resettled in Colorado come to Aurora," Kailin said. "We have a large Latino population, and just people from all over the world."

Mental health and school officials will also be on site at Thursday night's meeting.

aurora city generic
(credit: CBS)

Kailin says more than 133 languages are spoken in Aurora public schools alone.

"Aurora is an incredibly diverse community," Kailin said.

Aurora Together begins at 5:30 p.m. Thursday night at Aurora Central High School. It is scheduled to end at 7:30 p.m. Arabic, Burmese, Nepali, Swahili, Somali and Spanish interpreters will be on site. Child care will also be provided.

Andrea Flores is a reporter for CBS4. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter @AndreaFloresTV.

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