We write this letter as a statement of utmost displeasure with a part of your speech at the Republican National Convention. While you did not refer to us by name, in providing an assessment of the Democratic Candidate, Hillary Clinton, you made a passing comment – in an utterly dismissive tone – about a hashtag campaign in the fallout of the abduction of schoolgirls in Nigeria.
This Tuesday, the U.S. Republican Party held the Republican National Convention - an event held to nominate the official candidate in the upcoming U.S. presidential election. At this event, New Jersey governor Chris Christie delivered a speech in which he called Hillary Clinton out for not classifying Boko Haram as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), suggesting that doing so indicates that she would be incapable of managing U.S. security. He was quoted saying, “What happened because of this reckless action by the candidate who is the self-proclaimed champion of women around the world? These terrorists abducted hundreds of innocent young girls two years ago.” His remark did not go down well with the leadership of the #BringBackOurGirls who saw it as insensitive, and they wrote an open Letter to Mr. Christie, demanding an apology.
The open letter reads:
July 21, 2016
Dear Governor Christie,
We write this letter as a statement of utmost displeasure with a part of your speech at the Republican National Convention. While you did not refer to us by name, in providing an assessment of the Democratic Candidate, Hillary Clinton, you made a passing comment – in an utterly dismissive tone – about a hashtag campaign in the fallout of the abduction of schoolgirls in Nigeria.
This hashtag, (#BringBackOurGirls), and the movement that drives it, remains the only consistent voice for 218 abducted young girls who have today been in the custody of their captors for 829 days. As a father of two girls, the thought of having yours in these conditions must surely be a source of horror. In those circumstances, we are certain your opinion of such a movement and utterances towards the campaign would be more measured. It is therefore highly disappointing and unfortunate that a two-time Governor and Candidate of the recently concluded Republican Presidential Primary of the United States of America would choose to play politics with the plight of innocent girls.
We take this opportunity to remind you, and other political leaders who may entertain such thoughts, that our #ChibokGirls are global citizens; with equal rights as other citizens of the world, with families that grieve daily, and are from a part of the world that is currently experiencing one of the worst humanitarian crises ever. The least you should be doing is drawing attention to the urgent need for ensuring their rescue and driving actions that will lead to better outcomes for the victims of the insurgency.
We therefore demand a public apology, accompanied by a heartfelt Global Call to Action for the rescue of our #ChibokGirls and all other citizens of the world who are being held against their will. This will be the only indicator that you truly believe in the American values of freedom of life, love and the pursuit of happiness.
Signed:
For and on behalf of #BringBackOurGirls
AISHA YESUFU
OBY EZEKWESILI
