Portland – In a dramatic turn of events that has rattled the progressive community, local activist and self-described “social justice advocate” Amy Carter has publicly removed the “All Refugees Welcome” bumper sticker from her 2012 Prius after uncovering a startling fact: some refugees are white.

Carter, 32, known for her vibrant purple hair and thrifted wardrobe, was spotted peeling off the sticker in a moment of crisis outside a vegan co-op on Tuesday. Witnesses say the revelation hit during a heated discussion at her bi-weekly book club, where a member mentioned that many South African refugees fleeing genocide.

“I feel misled,” Carter told reporters, her voice shaky as she sipped a soy latte. “I thought refugees were supposed to be, you know, oppressed in the way I pictured. But white? That’s too much privilege for me to process. I need time to reflect.”

The discovery has sparked outrage among Carter’s activist circle, many of whom have long used the “All Refugees Welcome” sticker—a fixture on every Subaru Outback in progressive neighborhoods—as a badge of moral superiority. Now, that symbol is being questioned.

“I get that war is terrible, and people need help,” said Carter’s friend, Jordan Ellis, who identifies as a “non-binary eco-activist.” “But if we’re welcoming white refugees, doesn’t that just reinforce the colonial systems we’re trying to dismantle? I’m not saying they don’t deserve support, but maybe they should examine their privilege first?”

The controversy has prompted a broader reckoning among leftists, with some calling for a more “nuanced” approach to refugee support. A petition on X demands that refugees disclose their racial identity before being welcomed, to avoid “diluting the narrative of systemic oppression.” Others propose a tiered system, prioritizing refugees based on how well they fit the “marginalized aesthetic” expected by Western activists.

Carter plans to replace the bumper sticker with one that reads “Refugees Welcome (Terms and Conditions Apply).” She’s also launched a GoFundMe for a “healing retreat” in Bali to “process the trauma” of her disillusionment.

Not all activists agree with the backlash. Local anarchist and part-time barista, Casey Reed, called the reaction “ridiculous.” “This is peak performative nonsense,” Reed said, rolling their eyes. “People are fleeing war, and you’re gatekeeping who gets to be a refugee because they don’t match your Instagram vibe? Get real.”

Carter remains firm in her decision to step back from the “All Refugees Welcome” message. “I’m still an ally,” she insisted, adjusting her septum piercing. “But I have to protect my energy. If I’m going to fight for justice, it has to be the right kind of justice.”

Her Prius, now free of any refugee-related messaging, sits parked outside her apartment—a quiet symbol of the shifting tides in progressive activism.

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