"Defending human rights is a political act. Without respect for human rights, democracy crumbles and stability gives way to civil unrest, insecurity, and migration, as people do what they feel they have to do to survive.
"Defending human rights is also a prophetic act. The United States voted in favor of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 and many of its tenets are enshrined in our Constitution. Despite our history of upholding human rights as foundational to democracy, it seems like support for rights in our country, other than our own individual rights, has eroded. An image of Texas placing barriers in the Rio Grande, stranding migrants in the river, comes to mind. Or arresting volunteers for placing water in the desert, leaving migrants to die of thirst. Or placing barriers to applying for asylum at the U.S. border. What's often missing in our national conversation is the understanding that we all belong together and we will rise or fall together."
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