Bruning Should Take Action to Stop College Republican’s Discriminatory Activities
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 9, 2007
Contact: Eric Fought
(402) 434-2184
eric@nebraskademocrats.org
Bruning Should Take Action to Stop College Republican’s Discriminatory Activities
LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Democratic Party issued the following statement calling on Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning to take action to stop anti-immigrant, racist activities being held by College Republicans around the country. Bruning, who received support from the Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC), may be surprised to learn that the RSLC also supports College Republicans around the country, who have been engaging in “catch an illegal immigrant,” “white only scholarship” and “affirmative action bake sale” events. The most recent event was held by NYU College Republicans, in which they identified a fellow student as an illegal immigrant with a cash prize for whoever found this person first.
According to Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure filings, Bruning received $75,000 from the RSLC in the summer of 2005. He also received a $25,000 contribution from the group in 2004.
“Events like these held by College Republicans have no place in our national debate and do nothing to elevate the discourse on important issues of the day,” said Nebraska Democratic Party Executive Director Matt Connealy. “This kind of hate does not represent the Democratic Party’s values or the values of the American people. Instead of promoting a constructive dialogue, these activities pinpoint and single out minorities and immigrants based on stereotypes and negative portrayals. National and local Republicans are setting a bad example by distancing themselves rather than clearly denouncing the activity while dipping from the same donor pot.”
“Bruning should give back RSLC’s money and immediately denounce the funding of these racist and discriminatory activities, making it clear that this behavior is not tolerated in the Republican Party or here in Nebraska. Republicans, who continue to remain silent about these events held by young people in their own party, are not only setting a bad example for future leaders, but making hate and discrimination the hallmark of the Republican Party.”