|
November 18, 2014
BERLIN, GERMANY — Last week, LULAC National Executive Director, Brent Wilkes, joined the delegation of leading American civil and human rights advocates that attended the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) conference on anti-Semitism.
The goal of the delegation was to raise concern about escalating anti-Semitism across the region and to urge the 57 participating states to fulfill their commitments to fight hate crimes and discrimination against Jews and all vulnerable communities. The American delegation included leading Jewish, Muslim, Latino, African American, Asian American, women’s and LGBT civil rights leaders.
"It was an honor to join such a distinguished group of leaders in an effort to push back against persisting anti-Semitism that has continued to plague Europe," said Brent Wilkes, LULAC National Executive Director. "As civil rights leaders who work to fight against racism and discrimination in the Hispanic, African American and LGBT communities, to name a few, we have a keen understanding of how working in a coalition can be extremely beneficial to our causes. We hope that we can continue to share successful tactics in order to galvanize global awareness in OSCE nations."
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—
And there was no one left to speak for me.
—Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) about the cowardice of German intellectuals following the Nazis' rise to power
|
