Under thirty people rallied in front of Cranston City Hall on Monday evening to protest Mayor Allan Fung’s campaign promise to side with Rhode Island families over prisoners who have illegally immigrated to the United States when elected Governor. The protest was organized by the Progressive “Cranston Action Network” (CAN). 

Fung, a Republican candidate for Rhode Island Governor, is the first-generation son of legal Chinese immigrants. After immigrating to South Providence, his parents opened a small business in Cranston, Kong Wen Restaurant. Fung worked there growing up. 

As Mayor of Cranston, Fung signed an agreement with federal authorities promising to notify them when illegal immigrants are arrested by city police.

According to a Facebook post from Mayor Fung on his official page, “As Governor, I’ll say NO to sanctuary cities & reverse Gina Raimondo’s policies where she sides with prisoners here illegally, instead of Rhode Island families.”

CAN maintains a closed Facebook group of over 500 members. Their mission is to work “together for a caring, resilient, and progressive community.” According to a RI Future article by Steve Ahlquist, CAN collected over $20 from motorists in August of 2017 to give to the ACLU. 

According to CAN’s Facebook event for the demonstration, “Let’s show that we stand with our immigrant neighbors. Let’s stand as an inclusive and welcoming community. Let the police do their jobs fighting crime – not taking on ICE’s responsibilities.” 

Fung has previously championed his record on standing up against illegal immigration in Cranston saying that it has never been a sanctuary city. 

“As the son of immigrants, Mayor Fung knows the value immigrants have brought to this country, however, no one should be rewarded for coming here illegally,” said Team Fung in an early August email to supporters. “Allan’s first priority as Governor will be to keep Rhode Islanders safe.”