Black women have had enough of President Trump’s racist attacks on Congresswoman Maxine Waters and veiled threat.
They’re also dismayed that Democratic leaders failed to publicly defend Waters. On July 3, black women leaders and allies from across the country sent a letter to Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (full disclosure: I am a signatory to this letter):
Further, we write to share our profound indignation and deep disappointment over your recent failure to protect Congresswoman Waters from unwarranted attacks from the Trump Administration and others in the GOP. That failure was further compounded by your decision to unfairly deride her as being “uncivil” and “un-American.” In doing so, we believe this mischaracterizes her call to action for peaceful democratic assembly and the exercise of her constitutional rights to free speech in support of defenseless immigrant children and their families.
As one of the longest serving African American women, and the longest tenured woman of color, in Congress, Representative Waters has dedicated nearly 30 years of her life to federal public service. Prior to that, she was a member of the California State Assembly for 14 years, and has made it her life’s work to stand as a fearless advocate for women and unwavering champion for children, people of color and the poor.
Black women told the congressional leadership that if they don’t respect us, don’t expect us:
Much hangs in the balance this fall, with all 435 House seats and 33 Senate seats up for grabs. Disparaging or failing to support Congresswoman Waters is an affront to her and Black women across the country and telegraphs a message that the Democratic Party can ill afford: that it does not respect Black women’s leadership and political power and discounts the impact of Black women and millennial voters.
The letter is available here.
Meanwhile, Judicial Watch, a conservative watch attack dog group, has filed an ethics complaint. President Tom Fitton said Waters should be “disavowed.”
Republican Congressman Andy Biggs (Arizona) has introduced a resolution to “censure and condemn” Waters. The House could consider the measure this week.
If you are outraged by this blatant attempt to silence a black woman whose back does not bend, call (202) 224-3121 and tell your representative: I stand with Maxine.