Congressman Al Green Denounces Neo Nazi Demonstration in Orlando, Florida

(Houston, TX) – On Monday, January 31, 2022, Congressman Al Green (TX-09) released the following statement:

“First, they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”

– Pastor Martin Niemoller

“Dear friends, it is time for us to take a stand and speak out. On Saturday, January 29, 2022 in Orlando, Florida, the National Socialist Movement (NSM) held a small rally where attendants screamed horrible anti-Semitic statements including, ‘The Jew is the devil’ and ‘Jews brought slaves here.’ They were also heard making anti-black statements that included the n-word. This egregious brand of inflammatory speech must not go unchallenged,” Congressman Al Green stated. “Organizations such as the NSM are not new to us. Their rhetoric is but the echo of a long history of those who wish to sow division and enmity among Jewish people, black persons, and people of color. However, this hatred, rooted in anti-Semitism, nativism, ignorance, stereotypes, and conspiracy theories, has led to continued violence against those of the Jewish faith.”

This demonstration comes just days after the Colleyville Synagogue hostage taking in Texas. Because of the heroic efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies, all the hostages made it to safety. However, ours is a history replete with similar events where innocent victims have lost their lives.

Congressman Al Green continued, “Our words have the power to incite some persons to act.  Demonstrations such as those of the NSM may embolden others who would potentially bring harm to innocent lives. At a time when books on slavery and the Holocaust face a ban in schools across our nation, we must take a stand and speak out. Those who espouse the hateful rhetoric used at the demonstration in Orlando feel emboldened, and people of good will must speak out to show that division and enmity are not universal. We must call out and rebuke anti-Semitism whenever and wherever we see it. Our collective voices calling for unity and freedom from religious persecution have the resonance to drown out the few who seek to divide us. Their bigotry, racism, and hatred are not welcome in our country as we seek a more perfect union.”