Press Contact:
Elliot Levy
Press Contact
202-800-7409
Release Date: Monday, April 24, 2017
New York – Following the announcement that President Trump will give a keynote address at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum's (USHMM) National Day of Remembrance, Stosh Cotler, CEO of Bend the Arc Jewish Action, released the following statement:
“While we recognize the longstanding tradition of American presidents giving remarks at the National Day of Remembrance, it is bizarre and unacceptable for the USHMM to willingly give this President this solemn platform.
From Trump’s outrageous Holocaust Memorial Day statement in January, which intentionally erased the unique persecution and suffering of Jews at the hands of the Nazis; to his press secretary’s mindless and casual references to Nazi gas chambers; to his employment of unapologetic white nationalists like Steve Bannon and Sebastian Gorka as top advisors, Trump and his allies have not earned the right to speak at this solemn ceremony.
Just as crucial, Trump’s demonization of immigrants and Muslims, his denigration of the press, his attacks on the judicial system and other actions that seek to undermine the institutions that protect our civil society, coupled with his ongoing admiration for authoritarian leaders, illustrate both his failure to learn the painful lessons of the Shoah and his contempt for the most fundamental democratic, Jewish and American values.
Simply put, President Trump is not worthy of the opportunity to participate in this event. We strongly urge the USHMM to rescind their invitation to President Trump.”
For more information about Bend the Arc Jewish Action’s work to oppose Trump, contact Elliot Levy at [email protected] or 202-800-7409.
