'You embody the best of America': British politicians stand in solidarity with Ilhan Omar against Trump's 'unashamed racism'
- British politicians sign a message of solidarity to Democratic representatives Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib and Ayanna Pressley, after Trump suggests they should "go back" where they came from.
- Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan join more than 13,000 signatories.
- "We are disgusted by Donald Trump's attack on you. His blatant, unashamed racism has appalled people around the world," the letter states.
- It comes after Trump supporters chanted "send her back" in reference to Omar, as Trump addressed a campaign rally.
Dozens of British politicians, including Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn and the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, have sent a message of solidarity to Ilhan Omar and the three other congresswomen targeted by Trump in recent days, against his "unashamed racism."
In a letter sent to Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib and Ayanna Pressley, they condemn Trump's tweets in which he suggested the women should "go back" to the "crime infested" countries they came from.
"We are disgusted by Donald Trump's attack on you. His blatant, unashamed racism has appalled people around the world," the signatories to the letter write.
"You embody the best of America. Its diversity is its strength. 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."
At a campaign rally on Wednesday, Trump's supporters joined in chanting of "send her back," in reference to Omar.
Watch Trump supporters chant 'send her back'
The letter was compiled by the anti-racist group Hope Not Hate and was signed by 13,809 of its supporters.
It's campaign director Matthew McGregor, said that Trump had given succor to racists around the world.
"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," he said.
"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 was signed by opposition politicians from the Labour party, Green Party, and Plaid Cymru.
Signatories to the letter
- 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 other HOPE not hate supporters