Grace Meng
Jan. 18, 2017 By Hannah Wulkan
Congresswoman Grace Meng, who represents several Queens neighborhoods including Forest Hills, Rego Park and Kew Gardens, announced today that she would be boycotting Donald Trump’s inauguration.
“With just days before his inauguration, I had hoped that President-elect Trump would put an end to his inflammatory rhetoric. But obviously that pivot has not occurred,” Meng said in a lengthy statement.
“I have heard from many constituents and I thought long and hard about this decision,” she said. “I respect the office of the President and our nation’s peaceful transfer of power. But the President-elect must get the message that his antagonistic and divisive comments are unacceptable. We cannot tolerate attacks on women, minorities or a civil rights icon.”
Instead of attending, Meng said she plans to march in protest.
“We need a leader who will bring our country together, and live up to the dignity and honor of the Oval Office,” she said. “I will work with Mr. Trump whenever possible, but this weekend I march.”
Meng is just the latest political leader to choose not to attend the inauguration due to disagreements with Trump’s policies and rhetoric.
As of this afternoon, nearly 60 members of Congress have announced that they will not attend the inaugural festivities, including seven from New York.
Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, who covers parts of Woodhaven, Ridgewood, Maspeth and Glendale as well as areas of Brooklyn and Manhattan, announced on January 9 that she would not be attending the inauguration, choosing instead to participate in the Women’s March on Washington the following day.
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9 Comments
Not only have you lost my vote, but you have lost your mind.
We do not need more division, YOU lost my VOTE!
Im going to protest her protest
Grace, how many Chinese developers have you in their pockets!
Smart decision. I’m estimating there will be more than 1000 times more protesters across the country than at the inaugural. Attending the inaugural will ruin your career.
“Your complete lack of civic responsibility is shown in your refusal to attend President elect Donald Trumps’ inauguration. Your position only divides the country further apart and shows a lack of trying/willing to move forward to repair the damages caused by the last 8 years of the Obama administration. I hope you can at least work with the new administration and not just try to block the needed changes. What would have been your position if elected officials had refused to attend Obamas’ inauguration and think about the precedent you are establishing?”
Yeah Grace- way to go! You have my vote!
Grace, you have lost my vote! Not attending is bad enough but joining the protest with Sharpton and other rotten people is inexcusable!
Great comment by Mr. Anonymous there. Its okay Grace because you’ve won my vote and the vote of many others that will see people of influence like yourself take action.