Received this e-mail today from U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell’s (D. WA) re-election campaign:
There's only one way to describe the violence perpetuated in Charlottesville by white supremacists: hatred and bigotry, plain and simple. It was deplorable, and should have no place in our country or discourse.
But President Trump's delayed condemnation -- and mixed reactions -- to the violence has been shocking. He has had ample opportunity to crack down on the surge in hate-based violence, but his administration has taken zero action to combat it.
Earlier this year, thousands of you joined me and my fellow senators in calling on the President to create an Anti-Hate Task Force. But Trump failed to respond, and his administration has since even decreased funding to combat white extremism.
The events of last weekend have shown that we can't afford to let them stonewall us again. That's why I am leading 11 other senators to renew the call for an Anti-Hate Task Force.
Join us today in calling on Attorney General Jeff Sessions to make combating hate-related crimes a top priority, and demand that he establish an Anti-Hate Task Force now!
The Trump administration has promised to take action on hate-based violence before, but has let us down time and time again. While the Department of Justice does currently have a subcommittee on hate crimes, it is far too weak to be effective. In contrast, Trump's own rhetoric and policies have only encouraged the voices of hate to grow ever louder.
We need to keep up the pressure for a real commitment to combating hate-based violence. We can't accept half-measures and empty condemnations. That's why I'm leading 11 of my fellow senators in demanding that the Department of Justice act immediately to address the rise in hate crimes. Will you add your voice?
Join me, and tell Attorney General Jeff Sessions to establish an Anti-Hate Task Force NOW.
We can't afford to wait.
Thank you,
Maria Cantwell
U.S. Senator
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