The Pennsylvania Interfaith Impact Network (PIIN) condemns the heinous and hateful rhetoric and actions of our nation’s political leaders. The hateful and vicious comments made recently by the President about four members of Congress who are Women of Color, telling them to “go back to their countries” are just another reminder of the depth of the racism that continues to plague our nation– a plague from which no one is immune. We are reminded, at times like this, of why we need to engage and remain in intentional and honest conversations about race.

Earlier this year, The Southern Poverty Law Center’s 2019 Spring Issue of the Intelligence Report demonstrated the rise of hate filled rhetoric from political candidates and elected officials in Hate Goes to Washington. According to the report, “in the era of Donald Trump and his racist rhetoric a number of candidates with open white supremacist, nativist, anti-LGBT or antigovernment ties won seats in the U.S. House and Senate last election.”

We refuse to allow racists and white supremacists to frame our narrative or our place in this country. We will continue to encourage relationship building, not only between the community and people of faith, but among all people of good will.

We thank everyone who continues to work to move us towards being a just nation, and for the many sacrifices you make in doing so.