USW Denounces Treatment of Soldier's Mother by Trump

PITTSBURGH, Aug. 1, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Leo W. Gerard, International President of the United Steelworkers (USW), issued the following condemnation of Donald Trump for his public treatment of the Muslim-American parents of Captain Humayun S.M. Khan, a soldier in the U.S. Army who was killed in action serving in Iraq while heroically protecting his country:

"The USW represents thousands of military veterans employed in America's workplaces, who served the nation honorably. They understand the principles of comradery and solidarity in the face of a bully. Trump's continued attempts to divide America must not succeed.        

"The recent news cycle has been full of stories on Trump's treatment of Khizr and Ghazala Khan as the parents of Captain Khan, when Khan's father talked publicly of their love of America, their son's patriotism, the terrible loss for the family, and sacrifice for the country.

"We denounce Trump's shameful response to verbally attack Captain Khan's 'Gold Star' mother, who chose to not speak at the Democratic nominating convention. She has explained how her grief at seeing the large photo of her son on display caused her to remain quiet so as to not lose her composure.

"She has since spoken about her loss. We just find it astounding that Trump's egotistical arrogance lets him strike back with disrespect of the soldier's mother. It's an act of cowardice from a small and petty person.

"A growing number of 'Gold Star' families have asked for an apology from Trump. We fully support their demand. The Khan Family deserves more than a cheap tweet from Trump.

"While the USW didn't support Republican U.S. Sen. John McCain's candidacy in 2012, what is undeniable is his status as a genuine war hero and his years of suffering and torture at the hands of the enemy in the Hanoi Hilton. Trump mocked that service and now has the arrogance to attack a fallen soldier's mother.

"This corporate real estate billionaire knows no depth of depravity. American voters should consider Trump a foolish notion and unstable to be the nation's commander-in-chief."

The USW represents 850,000 workers in North America employed in many industries that include metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining and the service and public sectors. For more information: http://www.usw.org/.

Contact:  Gary Hubbard, 202-256-8125; [email protected]

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SOURCE United Steelworkers (USW)