A friend of mine who also graduated from SIPA | Columbia University who is a career official at the U.S. State Department (who was in Israel and the Palestinian Territories with me) texted me this morning and said - “I am lost and confused in this moment...and there’s nothing that I can do.”

We all knew what was coming, but the last 24 hours have been heartbreaking and shocking. While not perfect, I take some comfort in knowing that #nyc is a city of immigrants (40%), home to over 800 languages. New York City is a #sanctuarycity and for many, the gateway to the United States. It’s the proud home of The United Nations and the city of global diplomacy. We are fierce advocates and defenders of individual freedoms and personal identity, but value equally our shared humanity, #humanrights, and tolerance-respect for others. I heart NYC.