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Statement

Moms Object! Trump’s Troops Escalate Tensions, Violate Protestors’ Basic Rights in Portland, Head to Other U.S. Cities

July 24, 2020
Police Reform

Lisa Lederer, 202/371-1996

Statement of leaders of MomsRising, an online and on-the-ground organization of more than one million mothers and their families, on President Trump’s deployment of federal troops to Portland and other U.S. cities:

“Outrageous. Immoral. Unconstitutional. Pathetic. The President’s decision to send troops to Portland, Oregon, against the wishes of state and local officials, is an appalling abuse of power and a violation of the most basic rights of American citizens. It is profoundly disturbing that federal troops – in camouflage and wearing no identification – have forced people into unmarked cars, threatened and tried to intimidate protestors, and used tear gas against public officials. At MomsRising, we commend and are proud to stand with every person who is taking a stand for justice in Portland and across the country, including Black Lives Matter, the Movement for Black Lives, those who formed the ‘Wall of Moms,’ and so many others. We are saddened and outraged that anyone had to endure tear gas on our streets. Trust us, moms will not be intimidated or turned away.

“It is very clear that Trump’s federal presence in Portland is escalating tensions and creating the very out-of-control situation the President claims to be trying to end. Rather than sending federal troops to Chicago, Albuquerque and other American cities, the administration should withdraw them immediately and only deploy law enforcement support if state or local officials request it. That did not happen in Portland or in any other city President Trump is threatening.”

-Statement of Monifa Bandele, senior vice president, MomsRising

“This is a transparent, pathetic attempt by our deeply unpopular, failed President to boost his flagging popularity and distract us from his wholly inadequate response to the coronavirus pandemic, which has cost tens of thousands of lives.

“If he wanted to protect democracy and advance justice, President Trump would work collaboratively with local officials and direct his administration to invest in youth services, public health, education, de-escalation, and related programs that lift families and our economy, as well as support the gun violence prevention our country desperately needs. Instead, this dangerous, politically motivated stunt is escalating tensions, trampling on our rights, and undermining our fundamental liberties. It must not continue. Moms across America are appalled and will not stand silent while the rights of our children,families, and people of our country are trampled by President Trump and his administration.”

- Statement of Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, executive director and CEO, MomsRising

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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.