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Statement

‘This is a fight for our children’s and our nation’s future. We will not back down.’

August 12, 2017
Maternal Health

Lisa Lederer, 202-371-1996

Statement from Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, executive director and CEO of MomsRising, a national online and on-the-ground organization of more than 1 million mothers and their families, on the violence in Charlottesville
“This weekend, we watched in horror as white supremacists and Nazis march through the streets of Charlottesville inciting violence that has caused the death of at least one peaceful anti-racism demonstrator. There’s no question that the election of Donald Trump has emboldened white supremacists, neo-Nazis, racism, anti-Semitism, bigotry, sexism and hate – and now it is up to us to follow in the footsteps of brave anti-racist Americans throughout history, to stand in solidarity with those in Charlottesville opposing hate, and to defend and reinforce what truly makes our country great.  
 
“To be clear, the diversity of our nation is what makes our country strong, innovative and prosperous; not the opposite – and we won’t watch silently from the sidelines as the core of our nation’s strength, and our communities, are attacked by those promoting racism and hate.
 
“Throughout our nation’s history, there have always been good people who have stood up against hate and racial violence. It’s time for us to be those people. We must defend and advance our nation’s core value of reaching for liberty, equity and equality for everyone. This is nothing short of a fight for the soul of our nation – and we cannot lose.
 
“We know that racism and hate are more complex than just Nazis on a march in Charlottesville. They are deep, and systemic – but today, the fight is simple. Every generation of Americans has had to make a choice: Either we sit by and allow hate to spread; or we oppose it with all our being.  Whether hate appears in the form of a brown-shirted Nazi, a white-robed Klansman, or white supremacists in khakis, we must stand together and stop it.
 
“MomsRising’s more than 1 million members mirror the rich diversity of our nation and we stand against hate, racism, anti-Semitism, white supremacy, and misogyny; as well as stand in solidarity with the courageous and diverse communities in Charlottesville and across our nation who stand against bigotry.
 
“We urge every elected leader to specifically condemn the white supremacist and racist march and actions in Charlottesville, Virginia. There aren’t ‘many sides,’ as President Trump said today. There is no moral equivalency between the white supremacists and the people who came out to stand up for racial justice and decency. There is only one side to condemn and that’s the one advocating for white supremacy, racism, anti-Semitism, misogyny, and hate.    
 
“We will keep marching and fighting for equity, equality and justice for everyone. Make no mistake: This is a fight for our children’s and our nation’s future. We will not back down.”
 

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MomsRising.org is an on-the-ground and online grassroots organization of more than a million people who are working to increase family economic security, decrease discrimination against women and moms, and to build a nation where businesses and families can thrive. Established in 2006, MomsRising and its members are organizing and speaking out to improve public policy and to change the national dialogue on issues that are critically important to America’s families, including criminal justice reform, immigration policy reform, and gun safety. MomsRising is working for paid family and medical leave, affordable, high quality childcare and early learning, and for an end to the wage and hiring discrimination which penalizes women — particularly moms and women of color — and so many others. MomsRising advocates for access to healthy food for all kids, health care for all, earned sick days, and breastfeeding rights so that all children can have a healthy start. MomsRising maintains a Spanish language website: MamásConPoder.org. Sign up online at www.MomsRising.org — and follow us on our blog, and on Twitter and Facebook.