WASHINGTON, CMC – Caribbean-American Democratic Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke has expressed outrage over racist textual content messages despatched to Black Individuals since Donald J. Trump’s election final Tuesday as United States President.
Federal and State authorities are working to seek out the origins of the racist textual content messages despatched to Black individuals throughout the nation referencing slavery and telling them they have been “chosen to select cotton on the nearest plantation.”
Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, who represents the ninth Congressional District in Brooklyn, New York, advised the Caribbean Media Company (CMC) that since receiving the outcomes of the 2024 Presidential Elections, “we’ve witnessed vile textual content messages despatched en masse to primarily Black youths all throughout our nation.
“I’m outraged by this assault. For numerous Black Individuals to be bombarded with threatening and dehumanizing textual content messages isn’t solely a grave hazard to younger individuals at this weak second for our nation however an affront and insult to our shared humanity.
“Inside our conventional and new media areas, in our communities, and even in our authorities, hate continues to be inspired to a disturbing diploma. We should not stand idly by as racism and bigotry turn out to be much more pervasive and additional normalized in America.
“I urge a full investigation into the supply of those despicable messages and name for the perpetrators of this hateful scheme to be held accountable for his or her actions,” she advised CMC.
New York Legal professional Basic Letitia James has additionally urged New Yorkers to report racist or hateful textual content messages from nameless senders focusing on Black and Brown individuals and Caribbean and different immigrants – together with college students – in New York and nationwide.
“The racist textual content messages focusing on New Yorkers, together with center faculty, highschool, and faculty college students, are disgusting and unacceptable. I unequivocally condemn any try and intimidate or threaten New Yorkers and their households.
“I encourage anybody in New York who has obtained an nameless, threatening textual content message to report it to my workplace,” she urged, stating that, in latest days, there have been studies of New Yorkers and other people throughout the nation, together with Caribbean immigrants, receiving messages from unknown, nameless senders claiming that they’ve been “chosen to select cotton at [their] nearest plantation,” or “chosen to be a slave.”
“These texts seem like focusing on Black and Brown people, together with college students and will embrace private details about the recipient equivalent to their title or location,” the Legal professional Basic mentioned.
James and New York Governor Kathy Hochul say they’ve recommitted to defending the basic freedoms of New Yorkers, together with Caribbean nationals, as President-Elect Donald J. Trump prepares to take workplace on January 20, 2025.
James and Hochul introduced a strengthened partnership, together with new devoted workers, to handle potential US federal authorized threats to reproductive freedom, gun security legal guidelines, and different very important points.
The governor additionally introduced the brand new Empire State Freedom Initiative, which convened earlier than Election Day final Tuesday and has already begun growing complete plans to handle any coverage and regulatory threats that will emerge from a Trump administration.
Hochul mentioned that New York has already taken steps to guard entry to protected and authorized abortions, together with the passage on Tuesday of Proposition 1, which enshrines reproductive freedoms within the State Structure.
“As Legal professional Basic, I’ll at all times stand as much as defend New Yorkers and combat for our rights and values,” mentioned Legal professional Basic James.
“My workplace has been making ready for a possible second Trump administration, and I’m able to do every little thing in my energy to make sure our state and nation don’t go backward,” she mentioned, recalling, “Throughout his first time period, we stood up for the rule of legislation and defended towards abuses of energy and federal efforts to hurt New Yorkers.
“Along with Governor Hochul, our State and native authorities companions, and my colleague attorneys normal from all through the nation, we’ll work each day to defend Individuals, it doesn’t matter what this new administration throws at us. We’re able to combat again once more.”
Hochul mentioned the security and well-being of New Yorkers are her prime priorities.
“I’m dedicated to working with anybody on insurance policies that make our state stronger, safer, and extra livable — however my administration may also be ready to guard New Yorkers’ elementary freedoms from potential threats.”
James mentioned the partnership would additionally embrace coordination with attorneys at state businesses and native governments throughout the State.
Associated
