New York, NY, September 20, 2016 — In response to Donald Trump Jr.’s tweet comparing refugees to Skittles, the International Rescue Committee's vice president of programs in the United States Hans Van De Weerd said the following:
"Refugees are human beings and not Skittles. Hate and intolerance breed much of the violence that we have seen in America, and the terror from which refugees are fleeing. We must bring civil discourse back to the public conversation, recognizing that we are morally obligated to protect the world’s most vulnerable.
This responsibility demands that we tone down the rhetoric that inflames tensions within communities. What makes America great is our proud history of welcoming people from all over the world, and our commitment to providing safe refuge for those in need. Now more than ever we must speak out against the political rhetoric that attempts to divide us and instead stand together to welcome refugees into our communities.”
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The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is at work in over 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. Learn more at www.rescue.org and follow the IRC on Twitter & Facebook.