For Immediate Release: Monday, January 30, 2017
Washington, DC – Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie (D – Ward 5) released the following statement today on recent executive actions taken by President Trump:
“As the Ward 5 Councilmember and an elected leader in the District of Columbia, I find President Trump’s executive order banning Muslims as well as a his executive order limiting federal funding to designated sanctuary cities unconscionable. It sows fear and uncertainty for the individuals directly impacted and has the potential to make the entire city less safe by pushing a further wedge between the community and public safety officials. This order is the very antithesis of the principles of fairness and justice upon which our country was founded.
The immigrant community is inextricably woven into the fabric of the District’s present, past, and future. I am proud to say that we value all District residents, no matter where you come from, how you got here, the color of your skin, or your religion. All residents of Ward 5 and the District of Columbia deserve to live with dignity and without fear.
As a former trial attorney in the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice, I fought to protect and enforce federal statutes prohibiting discrimination. I will continue to fight for the human rights of all residents. And I support all efforts by the District of Columbia government and our citizens to resist these threats to the very characteristics that make the District of Columbia great.”