The final night of the RNC convention was filled with dictatorial chest-thumping, deliberate disinformation, and coded racism and xenophobia. The evening featured speakers and videos desperately trying to define the sensible Biden-Harris immigration platform as “radical” along with futile efforts to paint Trump’s relentless cruelty towards immigrants as successful.
Mostly, however, Trump and his enablers wanted to push racist hot-buttons a la George Wallace rather than address the pandemic that daily affects the lives and livelihoods of every family in America. This divide-to-deflect strategy just doesn’t work with most Americans who are suffering under President Trump’s shortcomings in the midst of the pandemic. Trump’s non-stop Drive to demonize Black and Brown people is the reason a multiracial majority is emerging to reject the racism and xenophobia of this administration.
So Stephen Miller is leading the writing team for Trump’s acceptance speech tonight. We can imagine where that is heading. #Republicanconvention
— Maria Elena Salinas (@MariaESalinas) August 28, 2020
The night started with a speech from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who argued that Biden wants to “give healthcare to illegal immigrants.” This, of course, does nothing to address the millions of Americans who do not currently have healthcare under President Trump.
.@senatemajldr started the night off by saying Biden wants to "give healthcare to illegal immigrants."
Once again, this is divisive rhetoric meant to distract the American people from the GOP's lack of real policy solutions. #RNC2020 #RepublicanConvention pic.twitter.com/68aCS9Bqyw
— America's Voice (@AmericasVoice) August 28, 2020
Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes started his speech by telling the story of his father who fled his home country, “barely escaping with his life.” These types of stories have been common throughout the convention, with many speakers glorifying immigrants who would have very little chance of making it to America today after Donald Trump gutted our asylum system and refugee program.
RNC speakers love telling stories of immigrants who wouldn't be allowed to stay in our country today due to Trump gutting our asylum system and refugee program.
Read more: https://t.co/ZfrxbnWufg#RNC2020 #RepublicConvention pic.twitter.com/0jKBqRUp8V
— America's Voice (@AmericasVoice) August 28, 2020
Hey Sean Reyes, don’t you realize that today, your father would have no chance of immigrating to this country given the policies of the current “administration.”
— Ken Louder (@klouder) August 28, 2020
One of the most troubling moments of the night was a highly offensive and divisive video played during the convention that claimed “Democrats put illegal immigrants before Black Americans.” This strategy is one often used by the GOP in an attempt to deflect responsibility and ignore the actual systemic policies in place that cause oppression and maintain poverty cycles.
Nope. Nope. Nope.
This is textbook divisive rhetoric the GOP is using to distract from their lack of policy solutions and gross mishandling of the pandemic. #RepublicanConvention #RNC2020 pic.twitter.com/HuaA7myM1c
— America's Voice (@AmericasVoice) August 28, 2020
I broke down and started watching and literally took 2 minutes to get to the race baiting message that Trump loves. So sad that folks take the bait on blaming immigrants.
— Mario A. Carrillo (@_mariocarrillo_) August 28, 2020
"I think it's wrong that Democrats put illegal immigrants before Black Americans."
WATCH: #RNC2020 video shows NYC public housing residents slamming Mayor Bill de Blasio as "disgraceful," criticizing Democrats' housing policies, and praising President @realDonaldTrump. pic.twitter.com/nCoV7NaCgk
— The Hill (@thehill) August 28, 2020
Finally, Donald Trump’s speech lived up to expectations as he ranted about everything from dangerous immigrants at our border to Biden’s “radical” immigration agenda. He used his platform to fear-monger his base while ignoring the very real humanitarian crisis he has created with his cruel policies and inept administration.
.@realDonaldTrump: "The Biden-Bernie Manifesto calls for suspending all removals of illegal aliens, implementing nationwide Catch & Release, & providing illegal aliens with free taxpayer-funded lawyers."
Sounds pretty great, but whatever. #RNC2020 #RepublicanNationalConvention pic.twitter.com/tltkQ6pzE6
— America's Voice (@AmericasVoice) August 28, 2020
Trump hasn't missed a chance tonight to call undocumented immigrants "illegals." This is hateful, dehumanizing rhetoric meant to divide and distract our country from his many failings as president. #RNC2020 #RepublicanNationalConvention pic.twitter.com/mKDbkQS6dk
— America's Voice (@AmericasVoice) August 28, 2020
Trump said he stopped "asylum fraud."
The administration has all but dismantled asylum protections @ the border, forcing thousands to remain in Mexico during their immigration cases.
Since the pandemic, border agents have turned around thousands of asylum seekers, inc children
— Hamed Aleaziz (@Haleaziz) August 28, 2020
Pro-American immigration? Immigrants have always been a net gain to our country, but that's not what Trump means.
Pro-American means a border wall.
Pro-American means ending asylum.
Pro-American means separating families at the border.
Pro-American means ending #DACA. #RNC2020— RAICES Action Fund (@RAICESACTION) August 28, 2020
Stephen Miller finally got his section in.
— Frank Sharry (@FrankSharry) August 28, 2020
