Press Release: Bigotry Is a Bad Habit: NETWORK Lobby Launches Presidential Bigotry Watch 2016

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]For Immediate Release: September 20, 2016
Contact: Ashley Wilson, awilson@networklobby.org, 202-601-7856

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With fewer than 50 days until the 2016 election, Catholic Sisters and members of NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice and Nuns on the Bus have had enough. Our country has a bigotry problem, and we cannot be silent.

“Between now and the election, NETWORK is monitoring and calling out presidential candidates who spread hate and bigotry. This hate is unacceptable, unpresidential, and unpatriotic,” says Sister Simone Campbell, SSS Executive Director of NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice and leader of NETWORK’s Nuns on the Bus.

In response to the Trump-Pence campaign’s crass image shared on Twitter last night by Donald Trump, Jr. that compared Syrian refugees to a bowl of Skittles, Sister Simone said, “The Trump campaign continues to act in ways that are antithetical to people of faith across the country. As a community of advocates inspired by Catholic Social Justice, NETWORK condemns this rhetoric that spews hate and bigotry. Let me be clear: this is not a war on political correctness. Being a leader of the United States requires civility, and civility requires inclusion.”

Sister Simone continued, “As a nation founded on the principle of religious liberty, we support Syrian refugees and our Muslim sisters and brothers and welcome all those seeking refuge from violence. Anti-refugee and anti-Muslim sentiment is un-American. I call on Mr. Trump to stop his campaign of hate once and for all. Half-hearted, 140-character apologies will not be believed.”

From now until the election, NETWORK will respond to comments made by presidential candidates that conflict with the tenents of Catholic Social Justice. You can view comments at www.networklobby.org/bigotrywatch.

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NETWORK, advocates for justice inspired by Catholic sisters, educates, organizes, and lobbies for economic and social transformation. They have a more than 40-year track record of lobbying for critical federal programs that support those at the margins and prioritize the common good. www.networklobby.org

Sister Simone Campbell, SSS is available for interviews. For inquiries, contact Ashley Wilson awilson@networklobby.org or 202-601-7856.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]