A top union boss Thursday condemned Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump for what he argues is a campaign based in fear mongering and racism.
“This nation was founded on freedom of religion, freedom of assembly and freedom of speech,” Tom Buffenbarger, president of International Association of Machinists, said in a statement. “Too many Americans died protecting those rights to allow someone like Donald Trump to wage a mad dog campaign that pits race against race, religion against religion, and ultimately, U.S. citizen against U.S. citizen.”
Buffenbarger asserts the call to ban Muslim immigrants follows a long line of offensive rhetoric. He compared Trump to divisive leaders from the past who based their views on hate and racism.
“It’s time we recognize this is not just part of a bombastic campaign pandering to fear, prejudice and anger,” Buffenbarger continued. “It is the latest incarnation of racial and ethnic demagoguery that stretches from the religious radio haters of the 1930’s, to the red scare mongers of the 1950’s and the murderous segregationists of the 60’s.”
Trump has claimed a temporary ban on Muslim immigrants is in the best interests of national security. Recent Islamic terror attacks has made many concerned terrorist could embed themselves in the influx of Syrian refugees. He noted the ban must remain in place until federal officials can get a grip on the crisis and more accurately track immigrants and refugees.
“Until we are able to determine and understand this problem and the dangerous threat it poses, our country cannot be the victims of horrendous attacks,” Trump said in a statement. “By people that believe only in Jihad, and have no sense of reason or respect for human life.”
According to a Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll released Thursday, only 16 percent of those aged 18 through 34 said they agreed with the idea. For those 50 to 64, 33 percent said they agreed.
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