January 18, 2018

Congresswoman Barbara Lee Cosponsors Resolution to Censure President Trump for Racist Remarks Against African Countries, Haiti and El Salvador

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee cosponsored a resolution censuring President Trump for his racist comments against African countries, Haiti and El Salvador. Congresswoman Lee joined members of the Congressional Black Caucus, House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jerrold Nadler and her Democratic colleagues in cosponsoring the resolution. She released the following statement on the censure resolution:

“I am appalled and outraged that President Trump would use such hateful and discriminatory rhetoric to describe African nations, Haiti and El Salvador. This country is, has been and always will be a nation of immigrants. The idea that the United States should only open its arms to immigrants from European countries like Norway is purely racist.

“The president’s comments are vile but sadly, they are not surprising. Since President Trump was sworn into office the hateful agenda of the alt-right has been adopted as racist and discriminatory policies that target communities of color.

“My ancestors fought and died in the struggle to dismantle institutional racism and empower communities of color. I refuse to sit idly by as President Trump attempts to normalize racism from the Oval Office. That is why I am proud to join my colleagues today in introducing a resolution that censures President Trump for these detestable remarks. I call on Speaker Ryan and Republican leadership to join us and bring this resolution to the floor immediately. As Dr. King once said ‘A time comes when silence is betrayal’, Congress should speak out with one voice against these hateful comments.”

The Center for American Progress recently released a report detailing 52 racist policies the Trump Administration has implemented to wage war on communities of color over the past year. Text of the censure resolution can be found here.

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