Another historic African-American organization has condemned President Donald Trump, who launched rhetorical attacks on Rep. Frederica Wilson over his phone call to the widow of a U.S. soldier, The Wichita Eagle reported.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated has joined the many voices condemning the president for his treatment of the congresswoman, arguably one of the organization’s most prominent members. The public rift between the two began following following his call with Myeshia Johnson, the widow of Sgt. La David Johnson who was killed in the October 4 ambush in Niger. The support effort is the latest blow in an ongoing battle between the president and the black community, the report says.
“When what should have been a phone call by President Trump to express condolences to the widow of Sgt. Johnson concluded with the family feeling disrespected, Alpha Kappa Alpha member and Florida Congresswoman Frederica Wilson expressed her distaste for the president’s choice of words,” read the statement to the sorority’s 290,000 members.
The statement continued: “She is now undergoing a virulent attack after she revealed comments made by President Trump to the widow…This lawmaker, educator, and advocate has been there for so many. Sorors, let us be there for her.”
The Florida congresswoman, who represents Miami Gardens, was initiated into the sorority as an undergraduate at Fisk University and would later serve as the South Atlantic Regional director.
Rep. Wilson has been subject to widespread attacks from the president’s supporters, even facing death threats. She reportedly skipped a trip to Washington this week after receiving calls to her office that she described as running the gamut from “racist and rude to outright menacing,” The Chicago Tribune reported.
Spokesperson Joyce Jones that the congresswoman is now being protected by a security detail in Miami and that U.S. Capitol Police are monitoring her office on Capitol Hill.
Wilson’s safety being jeopardized follows a developing pattern of threats among Black public officials and groups. Rep. Al Green received a wave of threats after he criticized Trump’s decision to dismiss former FBI director James Comey and urged the president’s impeachment in May. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus have also been the targets of increasing attacks.
Trump and his Chief of Staff are promoting a hostile climate toward Black officials by “saying things that are demonstrably not true,” said Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-La., who chairs the Congressional Black Caucus. The president’s revival of his conversation Wednesday with Johnson’s widow focusing on a rebuttal of her claim that he didn’t seem to remember her husband’s name is not helping matters.
Earlier this year, Rep. Wilson spoke out after a young Alpha Kappa Alpha member who made history as American University’s first Black student body president, which led to bananas with “AKA” written on them being hung on campus.
SEE ALSO:
How Trump’s Lies About Rep. Frederica Wilson And Myeshia Johnson Could Lead To Impeachment
Rep. Frederica Wilson Wants Answers In The Killing Of Sgt. La David Johnson’s Death
