US House Rep Karen Bass's office released the following:
August 12, 2019
Press Release
WASHINGTON,
D.C. – Today, the Chairs of the Congressional Tri-Caucus –
Congressional Black Caucus Chair Karen Bass (CA-37), Congressional
Hispanic Caucus Chair Joaquin Castro (TX-20), and Congressional Asian
Pacific American Caucus Chair Judy Chu (CA-27) – released the following
statement on the rise in hate crimes and domestic terrorism under
President Trump on the second anniversary of Heather Heyer’s passing.
Heyer was a civil rights activist who was killed during the 2017 Unite
the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.
“In the days, months, and years following the tragedies that took place in El Paso, Charlottesville, and a Sikh Temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, our communities continue to cope with these devastating acts of terrorism. Although President Trump called the most recent shootings ‘acts of domestic terrorism,’ the Tri-Caucus cannot ignore the role President Trump’s rhetoric has played in fanning the flames of division and racism. Since taking office, the President has emboldened white supremacy through his hateful rhetoric and constant attacks on minority communities.
“Sadly, President Trump has shown he is incapable of accepting responsibility for the rise in hate crimes over the past four years. However, that will not stop the Tri-Caucus from demanding the President lead and protect every American – no matter their race, religion, or the color of their skin. The President must commit to no longer using dog whistles, racist remarks, and language of ‘invasion’ to describe our communities or any refugees to our nation. The White House must also commit to combatting domestic terror threats presented by white supremacists – seeing that it accounts for nearly 100 arrests in the 2019 fiscal year. We know our great country has the ability to bring an end to all hate crimes. President Trump must work with Congress to ensure robust federal resources are dedicated to relevant agencies to combat this state of emergency.”
