Grace Meng
Jan. 18, 2017 By Hannah Wulkan
Congresswoman Grace Meng, who represents several Queens neighborhoods including Forest Hills, Rego Park and Kew Gardens, announced today that she would be boycotting Donald Trump’s inauguration.
“With just days before his inauguration, I had hoped that President-elect Trump would put an end to his inflammatory rhetoric. But obviously that pivot has not occurred,” Meng said in a lengthy statement.
“I have heard from many constituents and I thought long and hard about this decision,” she said. “I respect the office of the President and our nation’s peaceful transfer of power. But the President-elect must get the message that his antagonistic and divisive comments are unacceptable. We cannot tolerate attacks on women, minorities or a civil rights icon.”
Instead of attending, Meng said she plans to march in protest.
“We need a leader who will bring our country together, and live up to the dignity and honor of the Oval Office,” she said. “I will work with Mr. Trump whenever possible, but this weekend I march.”
Meng is just the latest political leader to choose not to attend the inauguration due to disagreements with Trump’s policies and rhetoric.
As of this afternoon, nearly 60 members of Congress have announced that they will not attend the inaugural festivities, including seven from New York.
Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, who covers parts of Woodhaven, Ridgewood, Maspeth and Glendale as well as areas of Brooklyn and Manhattan, announced on January 9 that she would not be attending the inauguration, choosing instead to participate in the Women’s March on Washington the following day.
