FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 15, 2019

CONTACT: Elliot Levy, [email protected], 786-200-4244

BEND THE ARC: ATTACKS ON REP. ILHAN OMAR DANGEROUS AND UNCONSCIONABLE

New York – Following President Trump’s Twitter attacks against Rep. Ilhan Omar, Ginna Green, Chief Strategy Officer of Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, released the following statement:

“Recent attacks on Rep. Ilhan Omar by right-wing media and politicians, including the President of the United States, are dangerous and unconscionable. There is a clear concerted effort to misrepresent and distort Rep. Omar’s statements to stoke fear and bigotry against one of the only Muslim members of Congress in our country’s history. These attacks have gone far beyond strong policy disagreements or anything resembling responsible public discourse. Such reckless expressions of prejudice and hatred can and do incite violence and put our Muslim neighbors, friends and family  in danger. This creates a dangerous climate not only for Muslims, but for every target of white nationalism. It is beyond shameful that the President of the United States would not only fail to condemn this hate speech, but would lead the charge.

“Trump’s efforts to stir up hatred against Rep. Omar are only his latest expression of the white nationalist ideology that inspires his administration's efforts to hunt down immigrant families across America, violently separate children from their parents at the border, issue the Muslim ban and hinder Black, young and poor Americans from exercising their most basic rights at the ballot box. All of these policies, like his attacks on Rep. Omar, are specifically designed to oppress, intimidate and endanger people of color.

“In the face of these unacceptable attacks we will not be silent, and we will not allow this vile hatred to go unchallenged. We will keep fighting, together with our allies, for our vision of an inclusive, equitable multi-racial democracy where all people can live safely, freely and with dignity.”