PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
November 16, 2016
Brandon Lee
blee@advancingjustice-chicago.org
773-271-0899 x200
ASIAN AMERICANS ADVANCING JUSTICE CONDEMNS PRESIDENT-ELECT’S CHOICE OF STEVE BANNON AS SENIOR ADVISOR AND DEMANDS BANNON BE REPLACED
CHICAGO — As a national civil rights organization, Asian Americans Advancing Justice condemns the President-elect’s choice of Steve Bannon as his chief strategist. His potential appointment gives tacit approval to Bannon’s known agenda against racial minorities, women, immigrants, Muslims, and the LGBT communities.
In the days following the 2016 presidential election, our nation has witnessed an upward spike in hateful harassment, vandalism, and attacks against people and communities singled out by Bannon and Breitbart News, which he leads. In addition to many well-publicized attacks against Latinos, Muslims, women, and LGBT individuals, Asian Americans have been harassed and told to “go back” or “get out.” There have also been reports of physical attacks on individuals and organizations and churches serving Asian Americans, including threats or vandalism. Only one week from the election, more than 400 reported hate attacks have occurred, with many other incidents likely unreported.
There is no place in the White House for anyone, let alone a senior advisor, who espouses xenophobic, racist, sexist, homophobic, and anti-Muslim sentiments. Since the election, the President-elect has stated the intention to strike a tone of unity, but a nation divided cannot unite when the President’s chief advisor holds blatant and well-documented hostility towards so many Americans.
We demand that the President-elect immediately rescind the offer to Steve Bannon and we vow to stand up against attacks on all communities. Asian Americans Advancing Justice refuses to accept the normalization of hate from the highest reaches of our nation’s leadership.
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Asian Americans Advancing Justice is a national affiliation of five leading organizations advocating for the civil and human rights of Asian Americans and other underserved communities to promote a fair and equitable society for all. The affiliation’s members are: Advancing Justice – AAJC (Washington, D.C.), Advancing Justice – Los Angeles, Advancing Justice – Atlanta, Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus (San Francisco), and Advancing Justice – Chicago.