Donald Trump's Racist Remarks On US Congresswomen Condemned By 14K In UK

The letter, organised by campaign group Hope Not Hate, is addressed to Democrat congresswomen Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley and Rashida Tlaib.
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From left, Reps. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., Rashida Tlaib, D-Mass., and Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., conduct a news conference in the Capitol Visitor Center responding to negative comments by President Trump that were directed the freshmen House Democrats on Monday, July 15, 2019. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/Sipa USA)
SIPA USA/PA Images

A letter of solidarity to the US Congresswomen Donald Trump has targeted for “disgusting” racist abuse has been signed by almost 14,000 people in the UK. 

Coordinated by the anti-racism campaign Hope Not Hate, it has been signed by Jeremy Corbyn and London mayor Sadiq Khan, and a string of other politicians and activists.  

It comes after Trump again left the world aghast when he fired off a series of tweets, telling four Democrat politicians they should “go back” to where they “came” from. 

The US president doubled down on his racist attack days later, describing the women as “hate-filled extremists who are constantly trying to tear our country down”.

He added: “They never have anything good to say. That’s why I say, ‘Hey if you don’t like it, let ’em leave, let ’em leave’.”

His jabs were all aimed at the self-described “squad” of four Democrats who have garnered attention for their outspoken views and distaste for the president: Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley and Rashida Tlaib. 

When asked to defend his tweets, Trump said on Monday: “It doesn’t concern me because many people agree with me.”

All were born in the US except for Omar, who arrived there as a child after fleeing Somalia with her family. She has been a US citizen longer than the First Lady, Melania Trump.

Taking the politicians on one at a time, Trump ticked through a list of what he deemed offensive comments by each woman, misconstruing many facts along the way. 

Omar came under the harshest criticism as Trump played to voters’ grievances, drawing a chant from the crowd of “Send her back! Send her back!”

The president made no attempt to stop the chanting and appeared to bask in the moment.

The letter of solidarity from UK leaders tells the women of colour he is targeting: “You embody the best of America. Its diversity is its strength.” 

“We are disgusted by Donald Trump’s attack on you. His blatant, unashamed racism has appalled people around the world.

“Thank you for showing the world that America can still provide leadership to be proud of, even when the White House has abdicated that role.

“We stand in solidarity with you.”

Omar led the response to Trump’s attack with a series of tweets in which she quoted Maya Angelou, telling Trump supporters, “I am where I belong”. 

Matthew McGregor, campaigns director at Hope Not Hate, said“Donald Trump’s racist tweets were a disgusting attack on four congresswomen of colour. Trump’s racism crosses borders - his slurs have an impact around the world and have given heart to white nationalists everywhere.

“We want Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib and Ayanna Pressley to know that from across the political spectrum in Britain, thousands and thousands of people are grateful for their leadership, for the hope they give people, and that they have our solidarity.” 


The letter has been signed by:

  • Nick Lowles, CEO, HOPE not hate

  • Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London

  • Tim Roache, General Secretary, GMB

  • Rushanara Ali MP

  • Marsha De Cordova MP 

  • Chi Onwurah MP

  • Mike Amesbury MP

  • Tonia Antoniazzi MP

  • Hilary Benn MP

  • Luciana Berger MP

  • Yvette Cooper MP

  • Tom Copley AM

  • Jeremy Corbyn MP

  • Angela Eagle MP

  • Gill Furniss MP

  • Ruth George MP

  • Roger Godsiff MP

  • Louise Haigh MP

  • Margaret Hodge MP

  • Sharon Hodgson MP

  • Baroness Hughes of Stretford

  • Diana Johnson MP

  • Ruth Jones MP

  • Barbara Keeley MP

  • Afzal Khan MP

  • Baroness Lister of Burtersett

  • Caroline Lucas MP

  • Sandy Martin MP

  • Catherine McKinnell MP

  • Anna McMorrin MP

  • Lisa Nandy MP

  • Jess Phillips MP

  • Yasmin Qureshi MP

  • Angela Rayner MP

  • Paula Sherriff MP

  • Valerie Vaz MP

  • Tom Watson MP

  • Leanne Wood AM

  • Baron Wood of Anfield

  • Manuel Cortes, General Secretary, TSSA

  • Sam Tarry, President and Chair, CLASS

  • and 13,809 others