Civil and Human Rights Coalition: Trump Must Do More to Condemn White Supremacist Groups

WASHINGTON – Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement after President Trump signed a congressional resolution that condemns white supremacist groups and calls on the president to speak out against hate groups:

“Congress passed this resolution unanimously in both chambers – a clear, bipartisan rebuke to white supremacists, white nationalism, violent extremism, and racial bigotry. It is telling that President Trump chose to sign this resolution behind closed doors and away from the cameras, on the same day that he repeated his assertion that both sides are to blame for the recent violent events in Charlottesville. President Trump is no stranger to utilizing the power of public events when it suits his agenda.

Actions must now speak louder than words. For the resolution to be meaningful, all who supported it must reject the policies that are part of the current agenda of white nationalist and neo-Nazi groups. President Trump must now put the resolution into action and ‘use all available resources to address the threats’ posed by hate groups. He must stop advancing policies that exploit racial and ethnic tensions to divide us. Everyone, including the president and Congress, must combat hate and promote our values of inclusion, fairness, and justice.”

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its 200-plus member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.