Press Release –
STATEMENT BY YWCA USA INTERIM CEO CASEY HARDEN
“President Trump doubled down on his plans to target communities of color, immigrant, and communities during an address to police officers on Long Island today. During his speech, he encouraged law enforcement officials to be less careful regarding the personal safety of the individuals they are arresting – a troubling directive considering police violence against communities of color is already a daily concern and many suffer injuries in custody. The President also promised ramped-up border enforcement efforts which would likely target Latinx communities, separate families, and create increased risk for survivors of domestic violence. Finally, he continued his attacks on Muslim communities with an ongoing, incorrect, and problematic narrative conflating Muslims with terrorists.”
“This race-centered aggression and lack of nuance is unacceptable from our nation’s leader. Our nation’s history of white supremacy is unacceptable. We must all work to end that legacy and build a new one focused on equity and justice for all. We are insistent that the President and his administration immediately stop reinforcing hateful attitudes and promoting oppressive policies. YWCA USA is dedicated to eliminating racism, wherever it appears and by any means necessary. As such, we will continue to speak out against race-based fearmongering and unjust public policies.”
About YWCA USA
YWCA USA is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, stand up for social justice, help families, and strengthen communities. We are one of the oldest and largest women’s organizations in the nation, serving over 2 million women, girls, and their families.
YWCA has been at the forefront of the most pressing social movements for more than 150 years — from voting rights to civil rights, from affordable housing to pay equity, from violence prevention to health care reform. Today, we combine programming and advocacy in order to generate institutional change in three key areas: racial justice and civil rights, empowerment and economic advancement of women and girls, and health and safety of women and girls. Learn more: www.ywca.org.
