Boston — Africa Inc. on November 3, 2014 filed a petition seeking temporary protection for citizens of Ebola ravaged West African countries of Guinea, Liberia & Sierra Leone stranded in the United States. The petition filed at the White House, Washington, DC. called on President Barack Obama to immediately designate Guinea, Liberia & Sierra Leone as countries appropriate for Temporary Protected Status (TPS/DED).

The petition comes at a time when the Northeast United States experienced its first snowstorm that threatened the lives of individuals and families without adequate access to food, winter clothing and shelter.

Consistent with humanitarian norms of civilized societies, TPS/DED is a provision of the Immigration Act of 1990 (IMMACT), P.L. 101-649, established by the United States Congress to provide temporary work permits for immigrants in the United States who are temporarily unable to return to their home country because of ongoing armed conflict, an environmental disaster, or extraordinary and temporary conditions. Countries currently designated for TPS include: Syria, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Haiti.

Clearly, the worst Ebola epidemic in the world ravaging West Africa and the impending harsh winter weather present a clear and present danger for West Africans stranded in America because of Ebola making the designation of TPS/DED a necessity. Speaking in Boston, Massachusetts on the occasion of the filing of the petition for TPS/DED, Liberian human rights activist, Rev. Torli H. Krua frowned on ignorant politicians who fan the flames of fear and discrimination by ignoring scientific facts about Ebola. "Rising Ebola fear, discrimination and hysteria sweeping across western countries are unnecessary, unjustifiable and counterproductive in the battle against Ebola.

There are no shortages of medical and scientific facts about Ebola in western countries. Even so, as Cuba, a third world country responds to the deadly Ebola virus with hundreds of doctors and nurses deployed in Ebola ravaged countries, Canada, the United States of America and Australia, wealthy countries with vast resources and medical expertise must move beyond the growing Ebola hysteria and fear by attacking Ebola at its source in West Africa, not West Africans suffering from Ebola. " Krua said.

According to Krua, the slow response of western political leaders to the Ebola epidemic in West Africa worsened the Ebola outbreak. The impending harsh winter weather, existing TPS/DED statute and risks for West Africans stranded in America are reasons enough for designation TPS/DED.

Without TPS/DED, opportunistic politicians would continue fueling the flames of fear and discrimination targeting West Africans and American health workers returning from serving humanity in Ebola ravaged countries. TPS/DED designation is the compassionate, legal and most appropriate action needed to address the plight of West Africans stranded in America as well as counter the rising Ebola hysteria and fear sweeping across America.

In a related comment, Krua praised Chief District Court Judge Charles C. LaVerdiere of the state of Maine, who issued a verdict on Friday, October 31, 2014, rejecting the state of Maine's argument that Kaci Hickox, a nurse who treated Ebola patients in West Africa posed a public health threat, said Krua.

Judge LaVerdiere is a refreshing voice of reason needed to counter the rising tides of Ebola fear and hysteria emanating from leading western countries such as the United States, Canada and Australia, where politicians are stroking Ebola fears and hysteria. "Politicians may score short-term political points in western countries, but cause long-term damage to global health and security." Krua concluded.