FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 12, 2019

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

Bend the Arc: Debate Discussion on White Supremacy Important Start to Addressing Natl. Crisis

New York – In response to the discussion among the candidates at tonight’s Democratic presidential primary debate about white supremacy and systemic racism, coming after progressive groups urged the ABC and Univision moderators to lead a conversation on white nationalism, Stosh Cotler, CEO of Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, released the following statement:

“While we appreciate that the moderators of tonight’s debate from ABC and Univision listened to the tens of thousands of Americans who asked them to engage the Democratic candidates in a thoughtful discussion on issues of white supremacy and systemic racism, no conversation about these topics is complete without explicitly mentioning that the challenges we face don’t derive from a vague “racial division,” but from an organized and dangerous white nationalist movement with a foothold in government agencies and the halls of power. White nationalism represents an existential and imminent threat to Jewish Americans, Muslim Americans, immigrants, Black Americans, the Latinx community, and many others. The power and reach of the white nationalist movement, being fueled and bolstered every day by President Trump and his allies, is a national crisis that must continue to be debated on a national stage. And we are heartened that the candidates came to this debate with thoughtful, bold proposals to begin addressing this crisis.

“This must be the beginning of the conversation, not the end. We urge moderators of future debates to recognize this crisis requires more than a few minutes of conversation and make the scourge of white nationalism a major topic of discussion. And we urge all candidates seeking to replace Trump to make a continued effort to show that they fully comprehend the dangers of the ideology and growth of the white nationalist movement and have a comprehensive plan to confront, mitigate, and defeat it. Our next President must be capable of leading a diverse coalition that can exercise the political power needed to put their plans into action and build the future we need: an inclusive multiracial democracy where all of us can thrive.”