College Democrats of New York’s Statement on the 2024 U.S. Election
We are deeply concerned about the 2024 Presidential Election results. The next administration aims to roll back labor rights, tank our economy with ill-concieved tariffs, and strip away essential protections for members of LGBTQ+ and minority communities.
They have threatened deportation plans that will tear apart the families of tens of thousands of New Yorkers, including those who have lived in, worked in, and contributed to our state for years. Far-right actors who seek to inflict terror and cruelty onto the lives of Americans believe they have won.
They have not.
Our state was built on the shoulders of immigrants. New York City is one of the most diverse places in the entire world, and as New Yorkers, we are incredibly proud of the multiculturalism that has flourished in our city and our state.
We celebrate the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment in our state this year, which will provide critical protections to all New Yorkers from discrimination and ensure access to life-saving medical care when we need it most.
Unfortunately, there are millions of Americans who do not have these protections. People are dying, and will continue to do so, because of draconian abortion bans across the United States.
The Democratic Party is the party of organized labor, universal healthcare and green energy. We fight for a robust education system, affordable housing, and rights for all people. We recognize that the party may have strayed from our progressive values over the past election cycle.
This is a time for reflection and reorientation within the party. We must focus on collaboration and community building. We must focus on strong policies that reflect our values.
We must win future elections not because people fear us less than the other party but because we are champions of ideals that the people want in government.
We must prove to the American people that our party has the desire and the power to do tangible good for them. In doing so, we may have to take chances, we may have to make unpopular decisions.
We must do all we can to speak against injustice and organize with our fellow College Democrats and labor groups and remain resolute in our defense of American democracy and freedom.
This is how we fight fascism.
This is our moment.
President Biden has often said, “We are in a battle for the soul of this nation.” Now, more than ever, that rings true.
We need our communities, our friends, our allies. We should welcome people of all walks of life into our movement over these next few years. We need to have conversations, create spaces for grievance, frustration, and brainstorming, and flex our muscles as the American people.
This is America. Collectively, we are so much better than Donald Trump.
A better future is possible and waiting for us if we’re willing to fight for it.
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Contact Information:
Sowad Ocean Karim
Communications Director
collegedemsny@gmail.com
Organization Info:
College Democrats of New York
https://www.collegedemsny.org
collegedemsny@gmail.com