Dear Supporters,
After a bitter campaign, and an
election in which Donald Trump won the electoral vote but Hillary Clinton won
the popular vote, our nation remains deeply divided. And the division seems to
be worsening: In the 10 days since the election, the hateful rhetoric of the
campaign has spread and even turned violent.
In his victory speech and during his “60 Minutes” interview, Trump urged Americans to come together as one united people to take on the challenges before us. But his actions tell a different story. By appointing Steve Bannon, Jeff Sessions and retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn-three men with long and disturbing records of bigotry and racism-Trump is only adding to the climate of fear.
It is our moral imperative to fight the normalization of hate, and while we will take actions in our schools, work sites and communities to protect our kids and fight bigotry and bullying, as so many of our members already have, Trump has a unique and moral responsibility to denounce these hateful and intimidating actions.
We sent Donald Trump a letter signed by the AFT and the Southern Poverty Law Center calling on him to speak clearly and loudly against the hate. More than 100 groups representing millions of people have also signed. Add your voice and name to our letter.
In the months leading up to the election, Trump's campaign rhetoric found an audience with those who would use our differences to divide us. And in the days following the election, we have seen people-seemingly emboldened by his victory-committing harassment, vandalism, property destruction and even assault based on those differences.
We know that millions of his supporters would never participate in these actions, but the campaign rhetoric has created an environment that enables and encourages those who wish to harm others.
We are especially troubled by incidents taking place in schools and on college campuses-places where we do everything we can to ensure our children are safe and nurtured, and have the opportunity to grow and learn free of intimidation and hatred. But now we are hearing reports of disturbing behavior: children chanting “build the wall” at their Latino classmates, Muslim students and educators harassed for their clothing, male students intimidating their female classmates, LGBTQ kids threatened and harassed, and swastikas being painted on classroom doors.
There is no room for this in America. Donald Trump must step up and lead by denouncing the hateful rhetoric and violence following his election.
Many of these hateful acts have been carried out in his name. And while Trump may not condone this behavior, his silence gives tacit permission to those who carry out these acts.
As Americans, we are better than this. You can stand up against these attacks by adding your name to this petition.
In his victory speech and during his “60 Minutes” interview, Trump urged Americans to come together as one united people to take on the challenges before us. But his actions tell a different story. By appointing Steve Bannon, Jeff Sessions and retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn-three men with long and disturbing records of bigotry and racism-Trump is only adding to the climate of fear.
It is our moral imperative to fight the normalization of hate, and while we will take actions in our schools, work sites and communities to protect our kids and fight bigotry and bullying, as so many of our members already have, Trump has a unique and moral responsibility to denounce these hateful and intimidating actions.
We sent Donald Trump a letter signed by the AFT and the Southern Poverty Law Center calling on him to speak clearly and loudly against the hate. More than 100 groups representing millions of people have also signed. Add your voice and name to our letter.
In the months leading up to the election, Trump's campaign rhetoric found an audience with those who would use our differences to divide us. And in the days following the election, we have seen people-seemingly emboldened by his victory-committing harassment, vandalism, property destruction and even assault based on those differences.
We know that millions of his supporters would never participate in these actions, but the campaign rhetoric has created an environment that enables and encourages those who wish to harm others.
We are especially troubled by incidents taking place in schools and on college campuses-places where we do everything we can to ensure our children are safe and nurtured, and have the opportunity to grow and learn free of intimidation and hatred. But now we are hearing reports of disturbing behavior: children chanting “build the wall” at their Latino classmates, Muslim students and educators harassed for their clothing, male students intimidating their female classmates, LGBTQ kids threatened and harassed, and swastikas being painted on classroom doors.
There is no room for this in America. Donald Trump must step up and lead by denouncing the hateful rhetoric and violence following his election.
Many of these hateful acts have been carried out in his name. And while Trump may not condone this behavior, his silence gives tacit permission to those who carry out these acts.
As Americans, we are better than this. You can stand up against these attacks by adding your name to this petition.
Trump has said he will be the
president for all Americans. We ask that he keeps that promise by loudly,
forcefully, unequivocally and consistently denouncing these acts and the
ideology that drives them.
We must all send a clear message that hate has no place in our public discourse, in our public policy or in our society, starting with our next president. Sign the petition now.
In unity,
Dan Montgomery, IFT President
Randi Weingarten, AFT president
We must all send a clear message that hate has no place in our public discourse, in our public policy or in our society, starting with our next president. Sign the petition now.
In unity,
Dan Montgomery, IFT President
Randi Weingarten, AFT president
P.S.
The Southern Poverty Law Center is collecting data on the effects of this
divisive climate, especially in schools. Complete its
survey here.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.