Congresswoman Matsui Statement on Roanoke, Virginia Mayor's Comments on Syrian Refugee Crisis

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, November 19, 2015

CONTACT:

LAUREN DART
(202) 225-7163

Congresswoman Matsui Statement on Roanoke, Virginia Mayor's Comments on Syrian Refugee Crisis

In response to comments by Mayor of Roanoke, Virginia, David A. Bowers, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) issued the following statement:

"Our first responsibility is to provide for the safety of our constituents. We know that there is much fear after the heinous attacks on the people of France. Fear can be understood, but fear-mongering has no place in the determination to make us safe. It only adds to more fear.

"I say this because of the outrageous remarks by the Mayor of Roanoke, Virginia, David A. Bowers, who pointed to the internment of Japanese Americans as a model for guarding against current international threats.

"During World War II, the decision to unjustly place U.S. citizens of Japanese descent into camps was grounded in fear. I was reassured when, in 1988 President Reagan signed the Civil Liberties Act to formally apologize to Japanese Americans who were victims of internment camps. In this time of uncertainty, I would hate to see us return to these fear-based reactionary practices that threatened the liberty of U.S. citizens.

"This kind of talk by Mr. Bowers is not the answer. As vulnerable families pursue asylum from the terror being waged in Syria and Iraq, I hope we will remain a model for the world. I want future generations to look back at this time and see that we stood for American values and helped those in need.

"I know that we can keep our country safe while also staying true to who we are as Americans. We all need to demonstrate compassion, not fear, as we face the challenges before us."

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