Western States Center Response to President Biden’s State of the Union

In response to President Biden’s State of the Union message delivered to Congress last night, Eric Ward, Executive Director of Western States Center, issued the following statement.

“After four years of Donald Trump, it was a real relief to watch a State of the Union address in which the President of the United States used his platform to push for policies to defend basic human dignity. The President spoke out clearly on reproductive rights, LGBTQ equality, voting rights and immigration reform. At the same time, it was disappointing that he chose not to call out the authoritarian, white nationalist movement that energizes attacks on those rights and poses such a profound threat to the future of our democracy. 

“When it comes to foreign policy, the President was unambiguous about the moral call to defend democracy. We need the same kind of language–and the same clarity about the nature of our opponents–when it comes to anti-democracy attacks right here at home. 

“Just as importantly, the President shouldn’t miss an opportunity to call out the kinds of attacks on racial justice, and even on teaching the history of race in our country, that we’ve seen in recent months. 

“We’ve seen in both Idaho and Arizona that there are principled conservatives who are willing to speak out and condemn white nationalism and antisemitism. President Biden should be no less clear in identifying and condemning the deeply disturbing rise of hatred and bigotry in this country.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Shai Vaz, press@wscpdx.org