WASHINGTON, D.C.— Following the passage of the No Ban Act in the U.S. House of Representatives, People For the American Way President Ben Jealous and Rev. Leslie Watson Wilson, director of People For the American Way Foundation’s African American Religious Affairs program, released the following statements:

“Today’s vote by the House to repeal Donald Trump’s xenophobic and immoral travel ban is a victory. These anti-Muslim, anti-African and anti-immigrant executive orders were never about keeping Americans safe — they were about sowing division and hatred. That’s what Donald Trump does best. We applaud House Democrats for rejecting his racist, xenophobic policies, and implore Senate Republicans to do the same,” said Ben Jealous, president of People For the American Way.

“For more than three years, Trump’s travel ban has perpetuated dangerous stereotypes about Black and brown people from Muslim majority countries and discriminates on the basis of faith and national origin. We commend the House for standing against religious discrimination by passing the No Ban Act, and we expect the Senate to do the same,” said Rev. Leslie Watson Wilson, director of People For the American Way Foundation’s African American Religious Affairs program.

About People For the American Way

People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and build a democratic society that implements the ideals of freedom, equality, opportunity and justice for all. We encourage civic participation, defend fundamental rights, and fight to dismantle systemic barriers to equitable opportunity. Learn more: https://www.pfaw.org.