Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chairman Marcel L. Groen issued the following statement:
“Donald Trump’s Muslim ban goes against everything America stands for. This is not who we are, and when we forego our principles we grant victory to those who want to harm us. This ban makes it illegal for anyone fleeing ISIS to come to the United States; anyone, that is, except for those from countries that do business with Donald Trump. What have we become when we turn our backs on the Iraqis and others who have helped our military?
“In 1939 a ship — the MS St. Louis — carrying 900 Jewish refugees from Germany came to the United States. They were turned away, and hundreds of the ship’s passengers were killed by the Nazis. We’ve had more than 70 years to reflect on this history and prevent this atrocity from happening again. We’re a country founded on religious freedom; we’re a state founded on religious tolerance. Trump’s actions will haunt our country forever.
“We commend Governor Wolf, Senator Casey, Mayor Kenny, our congressmen, and all of our leaders standing against Trump’s Muslim ban. We stand in solidarity with refugees and everyone who supports them.”
