Mexicans are "rapists." Democratic Congresswomen of color "need to go back from the crime infested places they came from." Baltimore "is a disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess." "S**thole countries." Birtherism. There are "very fine people on both sides."
"We must condemn racism, bigotry and white supremacy... Hate has no place in America."
One of these statements from President Trump is not like the others. The hypocrisy is astounding.
Domestic terror attacks in the name of white supremacy have sparked since January 2017, fueled by the hatred and racism streaming directly from President Trump. He is a danger to our democracy and is giving license to this violence. On Monday, following the deadly shootings in El Paso, the President made a forced, hollow condemnation of bigotry, then blamed the mass shootings on the internet, the media, mental illness, violent video games and hatred.
Anything but guns. This is sickening - we are the only country in the world with more guns than people. We are the only country in the world with this many annual mass shootings.
This is problem is uniquely American, and solutions to help curb the epidemic of bloodshed are right at our fingertips.
If the President wants to turn the tide, he must call on Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans to act on commonsense legislation to pass universal background checks and close the Charleston loophole that lets gun dealers evade checks - policies supported by the American people and conveniently waiting Senate action after receiving a strong bipartisan vote in the House.
These are commonsense gun safety reforms can save lives and keep Americans safe. Instead of tweeting thoughts and prayers or running away from the fight by retiring, elected Republicans should stand up to the NRA, Mitch McConnell and President Trump to recognize and help cure this public health epidemic.
A lot of people have been asking me what to do and where we go from here. Concrete steps you can take:
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Call your Senators and ask them to support HR 8 for universal background checks and HR 1112 to close the Charleston loophole. If they're already supporting the legislation, like our two Connecticut Senators, call and thank them.
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Donate to and volunteer for organizations like Moms Demand Action, Everytown and Giffords.
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Donate to local organizations in El Paso and Dayton working to help victims' families.
In addition to legislating, we must continue organizing. It's never been clearer that we must take back the Senate and the White House in 2020 to save our democracy and take our country back. Know that I'm fighting alongside you, and I need your help and your voice with me to ensure change from here onward.
