Video (YouTube)

WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) delivered a floor speech in which she condemned antisemitism, Islamophobia, and all forms of hate on college campuses.

A full transcript of her remarks is available below and the full video is available here.

Transcript: Rep. Ayanna Pressley Condemns Hate on College Campuses
U.S. House of Representatives
November 14, 2023

Mr. Speaker, I rise to unequivocally condemn antisemitism, Islamophobia, and all forms of hate on college campuses throughout our country.

The Massachusetts 7th is known for its institutions of higher learning and my office has heard from students, faculty, and administrators sounding the alarm on hateful rhetoric since the outbreak of war in Israel and Gaza.

Let me be clear: There is no justification for antisemitism or Islamophobia or any other form of hatred.

Whether you wear a yarmulke or a hijab, you have a right to show up as your authentic self, without fear or discrimination. 

Doxing on the internet, violence at protests, and endangering people’s lives must stop.

We cannot become that which we condemn.

The only way forward is to center our shared humanity.

I came to Congress to strengthen our communities, not to play politics with harmful resolutions of erasure or to defund civil rights by banning diversity and inclusion.

To the students of the Massachusetts 7th of all faith traditions, know that I see you.

The world is better because of you. 

Your talents, skills, and passions will transform our society.

And together, we can build a future rooted in radical love – not hate.

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Rep. Pressley joined Congresswoman Haley Stevens (D-MI) and their colleagues on a resolution condemning Hamas’ brutal attack and hostage-taking, and demanding Hamas immediately release all hostages.

Rep. Pressley joined her colleagues in announcing a resolution urging the Biden Administration to call for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Israel and Gaza, to send humanitarian aid and assistance to Gaza, and to save as many lives as possible. She later joined her colleagues and a multi-faith, multiracial coalition of faith leaders and organizers for a prayer and press conference to renew their calls for a ceasefire. Rep. Pressley also joined dozens of rabbis and Members of Congress for a press conference to renew calls for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Rep. Pressley joined Reps. Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), James P. McGovern (MA-02), and 50 colleagues on a letter condemning the terrorist attacks by Hamas on the people of Israel, calling for Israeli military operations to follow the rules of international humanitarian law, and continuing to work toward peace in the region.

Rep. Pressley joined Reps. Grace Meng (D-NY), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), and nearly 150 colleagues in urging the State Department to use all tools at its disposal help get Americans out of Israel and back home to the United States. She applauded the State Department for heeding her calls on October 12, 2023 and continues to press for the urgent evacuation of Americans in Gaza.

Rep. Pressley issued a statement following the safe evacuation of Massachusetts constituents Wafaa and Abood Okal and their one-year-old Yousef from Gaza.

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