Councilman Bill McKoy denounces President Trump’s comments about Haiti and
African countries

Mayoral Candidate Councilman Bill McKoy released the following statement today
condemning President Trump’s racist comments:

As I moved around the city this weekend and yesterday, the national holiday honoring
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I became even more committed to the fact that we must
rededicate ourselves to the mission of one of the greatest peacemakers of our time. In
these difficult, trying times we must not forget the lessons of the past as we navigate
forward. It’s up to each of us to do what we can to keep the dream of an equal world
alive.

This great City of Paterson stands in the shadow of Lady Liberty, who was a beacon to
millions of immigrants. Enshrined at her feet the promise: “Give me your tired, your
poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming
shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden
door!” That is a promise that must ring true, not for a select few, but all who dare to
dream of freedom and equality. Paterson’s greatest strength is the diversity of our
citizens.

I am outraged by the racist, hurtful, divisive comments made by the sitting president of
the United States of America. As a naturalized citizen who has made good on the
promise of America, I’m compelled to denounce these hurtful, insensitive remarks made
by the president. As Dr. King is often quoted “nothing in the world is more dangerous
than sincere ignorance and conscious stupidity.”

President Trump has once again shown his true self and I call on all my fellow colleagues
and neighbors to stand with me and condemn these divisive and racist statements. The
only way we move our city and country forward is working together no matter race,
religion or origin. In Paterson we honor and support our Haitian and African communities
and look to work and learn from everyone to make our city stronger. We believe in Dr.
King’s work of solving problems through service and building bridges to foster a more
just and fair world.

Let us remember Dr. King’s words that still ring true today, ‘There comes a time when
one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it
because conscience tells him it is right.’ No matter who we are, or where we are, our
humanity should always rise above our differences to become compassionate leaders and
committed public servants.”