Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Joint Statement from NAN, CCC, UWD, and SEIU: 'We Stand Together for All America'

 

In the coming months, Americans will face unprecedented challenges that will test our commitment to our nation’s democracy, to civil rights and to justice. 

President-elect Trump’s intentions have dangerous consequences for our country: people unfairly targeted because of race and ethnicity under a controversial stop-and-frisk policing policy; the end of deportation protections like DACA and millions of immigrants torn from their families and deported; Muslims forced to sign up to a registry; refugees escaping violence and inhumane conditions no longer welcome in the United States. Whether or not these injustices happen will depend on our ability to collectively rise up, defend our most vulnerable, and oppose his agenda of hate.

President-elect Trump’s uninformed and racist statements regarding police violence in communities of color will have serious consequences. The incoming Trump administration will further marginalize and criminalize our communities by pushing for private prisons and blindly backing law enforcement when police kill black people and people of color, no matter the circumstances. We have marched across the country to protest the senseless police killings of Eric Garner, Sandra Bland, Keith Lamont Scott, Walter Scott, and countless others. But the anger over these incidents have their roots in a larger reality: distrust of a system that devalues the lives of black people and people of color. 

To fight back against hatred, racism, and bigotry, we urge all Americans to stand up and call for the dignity, safety, and protection of our communities. Stand with immigrants. Stand with African American communities. Stand with Muslim Americans. Stand with refugees.

Trump wants to divide us to conquer us. The first test will be whether we can stand together with those who are the most vulnerable.

On January 14, two events will take place in our nation’s Capital that will reaffirm our commitment to civil rights for all and justice and rights for immigrants and people of color.

The National Action Network will host a “We Shall Not Be Moved” march and rally. Participants will assemble at 9:00 am at the National Sylvan Theater. The march will begin at 11:00 am at the National Sylvan Theater and will culminate at the West Potomac Park, where the rally will begin at noon.

On the same day, the Fair Immigration Reform Movement, United We Dream, and Service Employees International Union (SEIU) will host a “Stand Together To Protect Immigrant and Refugee Rights” rally and event from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at the historic Metropolitan A.M.E. Church, located at 1518 M Street NW in Washington, DC. The event is part of a series of actions across the country to Stand Together for Immigrants and Refugees and lay the groundwork for local efforts to prevent deportations and call for safety and sanctuary for immigrants. Each event will include speakers.

On the eve of a Donald Trump presidency, our nation stands at a crossroad. Through these actions on January 14, immigrant and African American communities will take the road of action and shared strength. We reject Donald Trump’s pathway of division and discord and pledge to fight with one voice.

In this new era, we pledge our commitment to continue to fight to protect and defend our rights, standing together in support of each other and to advance of the civil rights of all Americans. 

Source: Mercury

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