He finally sent over the response we were pushing for and acknowledged the points we laid out about the refugee ban. I honestly did not think this would actually work but I am so incredibly relieved that my inbox finally has something other than silence in it.
March 20, 2017
Final supporters
Congressman John Katko
1620 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3701
Fax: (202) 225-4042
Re: Your Response to the Presidency of Donald J. Trump
Dear Congressman Katko:
We are proud Syracuse natives and loyal Americans. We write you today after contacting your office multiple times in an attempt to understand your rationale for supporting Trump’s unconstitutional and immoral Executive Order banning imperiled refugees from legally entering the United States because of their faith, as well as to question your silence regarding Trump’s total disregard for truth and decency in public discourse. Despite assurances from those in your office that we would receive a substantive response to our inquiries, we have received none. As such, we are writing to make our positions clear and ask for your support.
First, your failure to immediately and completely repudiate Trump’s Executive Order is, to say the least, deeply concerning. We fully understand the importance of border security. But this Executive Order is ill-conceived, internally inconsistent, and as counterproductive as it is unethical; it will only serve to encourage extremism, not counteract it. Moreover, and as you should well-know, if ever there was a city built on immigrants (including refugees), it is Syracuse. As community members, we have seen first-hand the numerous economic, social and cultural benefits immigrants have delivered to our city. Immigrants have enriched our city, not made it less safe.
Second, your lack of response to Trump’s public fabrications regarding his inauguration, voter fraud, immigration statistics, and a myriad of other subjects impacting the American people is intolerable. Silence in the presence of state sponsored deception is tantamount to support. We are not naïve. We understand that politicians are not always forthcoming. However, Trump’s total disregard for the truth and the nature of reality itself is abnormal, alarming, and unprecedented. We need leaders who will hold the President accountable for his falsehoods, not shy away from confrontation.
Congressman, simply put, there are policy decisions where we can respectfully debate, discuss, and possibly disagree. But then there are moral decisions. It is these moral decisions that leave no room for playing politics (nor do they force you to give up your political ideology or values); rather, all they require is decency, dignity and respect to come to the correct conclusion. That you did not and cannot unequivocally reject Trump’s Executive Order is unacceptable, and your silence concerning the Trump administration’s dishonesty and deception is inexcusable.
Your current inability to provide moral leadership in this political climate leaves us with no faith that you will stand up for all of the people that you purport to represent. In that vein, on behalf of your constituents, we request a face-to-face meeting so that we can better understand how you intend to work on behalf of all of us, as well as your plan for combating Trump’s most extreme, unconstitutional, and immoral policies and behavior that will no-doubt be the hallmark of his administration. We also request that you immediately (i) amend your prior public statement supporting Trump’s refugee policy to fully and forcefully reject this unconstitutional and immoral Executive Order, and (ii) release a public statement condemning Trump’s egregious behavior and admit that he and his administration have purposefully lied to the American people on multiple occasions since his inauguration.
We look forward to your response.
Jealous Guardians of Democracy,
Signatories:
Updates
February 10, 2017
I have been calling the office again but honestly the silence is getting louder every day while I stare at the printouts of these comments. It is strange how they promise a response and then just vanish into thin air like the concerns of their own neighbors do not even register on the radar screen. We are just going to keep pushing until they realize that ignoring the people from Syracuse is not a viable long term strategy for them.
Reached 100 supporters
February 10, 2017
34 Comments
As a Nottingham HS graduate (Class of '63) I am proud to endorse this letter. Rep Katko, I hope you pay attention to these concerned constituents.
As the daughter of two Holocaust survivors who sought refuge in the USA, I am appalled by Trump's actions. Silence only encourages him.
To claim to represent the interests of the city of Syracuse yet be silent on this issue is nothing short of shameful.
I am so saddened that you have chosen to align with party lines instead of fighting for for what is right.
Listen to ALL the people you represent. Stop saying your are accessible when you are not. Come out and talk to us in a live town hall discussion.
You owe your constituents explanations regarding their concerns!
Amen
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He finally sent over the response we were pushing for and acknowledged the points we laid out about the refugee ban. I honestly did not think this would actually work but I am so incredibly relieved that my inbox finally has something other than silence in it.
March 20, 2017
Final supporters
Congressman John Katko
1620 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3701
Fax: (202) 225-4042
Re: Your Response to the Presidency of Donald J. Trump
Dear Congressman Katko:
We are proud Syracuse natives and loyal Americans. We write you today after contacting your office multiple times in an attempt to understand your rationale for supporting Trump’s unconstitutional and immoral Executive Order banning imperiled refugees from legally entering the United States because of their faith, as well as to question your silence regarding Trump’s total disregard for truth and decency in public discourse. Despite assurances from those in your office that we would receive a substantive response to our inquiries, we have received none. As such, we are writing to make our positions clear and ask for your support.
First, your failure to immediately and completely repudiate Trump’s Executive Order is, to say the least, deeply concerning. We fully understand the importance of border security. But this Executive Order is ill-conceived, internally inconsistent, and as counterproductive as it is unethical; it will only serve to encourage extremism, not counteract it. Moreover, and as you should well-know, if ever there was a city built on immigrants (including refugees), it is Syracuse. As community members, we have seen first-hand the numerous economic, social and cultural benefits immigrants have delivered to our city. Immigrants have enriched our city, not made it less safe.
Second, your lack of response to Trump’s public fabrications regarding his inauguration, voter fraud, immigration statistics, and a myriad of other subjects impacting the American people is intolerable. Silence in the presence of state sponsored deception is tantamount to support. We are not naïve. We understand that politicians are not always forthcoming. However, Trump’s total disregard for the truth and the nature of reality itself is abnormal, alarming, and unprecedented. We need leaders who will hold the President accountable for his falsehoods, not shy away from confrontation.
Congressman, simply put, there are policy decisions where we can respectfully debate, discuss, and possibly disagree. But then there are moral decisions. It is these moral decisions that leave no room for playing politics (nor do they force you to give up your political ideology or values); rather, all they require is decency, dignity and respect to come to the correct conclusion. That you did not and cannot unequivocally reject Trump’s Executive Order is unacceptable, and your silence concerning the Trump administration’s dishonesty and deception is inexcusable.
Your current inability to provide moral leadership in this political climate leaves us with no faith that you will stand up for all of the people that you purport to represent. In that vein, on behalf of your constituents, we request a face-to-face meeting so that we can better understand how you intend to work on behalf of all of us, as well as your plan for combating Trump’s most extreme, unconstitutional, and immoral policies and behavior that will no-doubt be the hallmark of his administration. We also request that you immediately (i) amend your prior public statement supporting Trump’s refugee policy to fully and forcefully reject this unconstitutional and immoral Executive Order, and (ii) release a public statement condemning Trump’s egregious behavior and admit that he and his administration have purposefully lied to the American people on multiple occasions since his inauguration.
We look forward to your response.
Jealous Guardians of Democracy,
Signatories:
Updates
February 10, 2017
I have been calling the office again but honestly the silence is getting louder every day while I stare at the printouts of these comments. It is strange how they promise a response and then just vanish into thin air like the concerns of their own neighbors do not even register on the radar screen. We are just going to keep pushing until they realize that ignoring the people from Syracuse is not a viable long term strategy for them.
Reached 100 supporters
February 10, 2017
34 Comments
I am not from Syracuse but I agree whole heartedly with this letter and the issues raised here. I am from St. Louis. St. Louis is a major resettlement city for immigrants. My grandparents were immigrants. They came to the United States when things were very bad in their native country. My grandfather became a citizen and a business owner. We are a better country because of the immigrants who come here.
As a Nottingham HS graduate (Class of '63) I am proud to endorse this letter. Rep Katko, I hope you pay attention to these concerned constituents.
As the daughter of two Holocaust survivors who sought refuge in the USA, I am appalled by Trump's actions. Silence only encourages him.
To claim to represent the interests of the city of Syracuse yet be silent on this issue is nothing short of shameful.
I am so saddened that you have chosen to align with party lines instead of fighting for for what is right.
Listen to ALL the people you represent. Stop saying your are accessible when you are not. Come out and talk to us in a live town hall discussion.
You owe your constituents explanations regarding their concerns!
Amen
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I am not from Syracuse but I agree whole heartedly with this letter and the issues raised here. I am from St. Louis. St. Louis is a major resettlement city for immigrants. My grandparents were immigrants. They came to the United States when things were very bad in their native country. My grandfather became a citizen and a business owner. We are a better country because of the immigrants who come here.