Flatbush Councilman: Trump's Actions Are 'Authoritarian' and 'Fascist'

FLATBUSH, BROOKLYN — Flatbush Councilman Jumaane Williams said this week that President Donald Trump is engaging in "a playbook of fear that is used in every authoritarian and fascist regime in the past."

Williams made the statement in response to President Donald Trump's recent executive orders on immigration enforcement.

Trump's orders direct Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to broaden its definition of which immigrants are "criminals," meaning ICE will have more power to deport undocumented individuals. The agency's Enforcement and Removal Operations office will also be tripled in size under the orders.

Furthermore, Trump ordered federal funds cut to "sanctuary cities" like New York, which don't report undocumented residents to federal authorities.

"Donald Trump is unraveling all that our country claims to stand for," Williams said. "As the son of Grenadian immigrants, and as representative of a district that has a large number of foreign-born residents, Trump's assault on immigration is offensive and shows the worst of America. "

"We cannot, at all give him the semblance that we will accept or approve of these divisive policies," Williams said. "The time for anger and disbelief is over. Now is the time for action."

Williams also endorsed a Thursday statement by the New York City Council's Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus (BLAC) and the Progressive Caucus declaring that the groups stand "in fierce opposition to President Trump’s executive orders." Williams is a member of both BLAC and the Progressive Caucus.

"These actions are rooted in racism, protectionism, and xenophobia, and they harken to the ugliest moments in modern human history," the statement said of Trump's orders. "We are alarmed and outraged at the President’s regressive proposals and his continual affront to immigrant communities and threats to cities that protect them. We unequivocally rebuke these executive orders as obstacles to unity and insults to the rich cultural contributions of our nation’s immigrant population."

"We will continue to stand in solidarity with Muslim and immigrant communities and ensure that we live in a city that is a sanctuary for all New Yorkers," the statement concluded.

The full BLAC and Progressive Caucus statement is reprinted below:

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The New York City Council’s Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus (BLAC) and Progressive Caucus (PC) stand together in fierce opposition to President Trump’s executive orders implementing more aggressive exclusion and deportation operations for immigrants and the announced executive order banning entry of refugees and other migrants from majority-Muslim countries. These actions are rooted in racism, protectionism, and xenophobia, and they harken to the ugliest moments in modern human history.

Members of the City Council Progressive Caucus and the BLAC unite under the charge to create a more just and equal New York for all New Yorkers, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or documentation status. As champions of progressive values in New York City and advocates for New York City’s communities of color, our Members are often on the front lines against institutional racism and other discriminatory practices—especially those threatening constitutional protections. We are alarmed and outraged at the President’s regressive proposals and his continual affront to immigrant communities and threats to cities that protect them. We unequivocally rebuke these executive orders as obstacles to unity and insults to the rich cultural contributions of our nation’s immigrant population.

Our caucuses have long fought against Islamophobia and xenophobia, most recently joining together in 2016 to adopt Resolution 1230 “[d]eclaring support for Muslim communities, affirming the religious pluralism of the United States, and urging all residents to stand together for peace and understanding,” and to adopt Resolution 1321 “[a]ffirming that despite president-elect Donald Trump’s senseless threats, New York City will remain a Sanctuary City for immigrant residents.” We will continue to stand in solidarity with Muslim and immigrant communities and ensure that we live in a city that is a sanctuary for all New Yorkers.

Top image courtesy of sean hobson on Flickr