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Statement

MomsRising Leader: ‘Shameful Arpaio Pardon Signals Support for Bigotry, Contempt for Rule of Law’

August 26, 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 President Trump’s pardon of former Maricopa County, Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio
“In pardoning disgraced former Maricopa County sheriff Joe Arpaio, President Trump has signaled to bigots and white supremacists that they need not worry about being held accountable for vicious, racist actions. This pardon demonstrates contempt for the real American values of inclusion, diversity and respect for basic human rights and for the rule of law. It is truly shameful.
 
“Far from ‘selfless public service,’ as President Trump said, Arpaio exemplified bigotry and law enforcement gone amuck. The former Maricopa County sheriff carried out his duties in ways that were racist, heartless and cruel to immigrants, people of color and the poor. Arpaio capped his disgraceful career by disobeying a federal court order to halt the illegal racial profiling that characterized his immigration raids. Now, thanks to this dishonorable pardon, Arpaio will not be held accountable for his crimes. He is an unrepentant bigot and a blight on all those who practice law enforcement in ways that are fair and designed to protect public safety for all of us.
 
“No one should be above the law. MomsRising has been speaking out against Arpaio’s heartless tactics for many years because America’s mothers know that our communities and our country are stronger when we reject bigotry, cruelty and violence. Rather than unifying the country, President Trump has once again sided with racists and undermined real American values. This is a sad day for the country.”
 

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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.