Samantha Bee Draws Attention to Extremist-Intervention Group That Lost Federal Funding Under Trump
In our round-up of late night responses to Charlottesville, I included a short clip from Full Frontal With Samantha Bee talking about Life After Hate, “the only organization dedicated to bringing people out of the white supremacist movement.” While the full segment on Life After Hate doesn’t air on Full Frontal until September, Bee and the show’s team shared the segment, recognizing resonance with the current moment and an urgency for the work Life After Hate does.
“Is there literally anyone doing anything?” asks Bee after a clip of the white nationalist chanting in Charlottesville. The host points to helplessness that many people might’ve felt watching the rally, and how anyone with the means to do so can donate to Life After Hate, as the organization is currently in dire need of funding.
The reason, mainly, is that Life After hate was promised a $400,000 federal grant from the Department of Homeland Security during the Obama administration as a recipient of the Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Grant Program. However, on Friday, June 23, 2017 they “received notification of its removal from the approved list of funded organizations, without mentioning the specific criteria as to why their grant was rescinded.” It’s a clear example of how Trump’s weakest condemnation of white supremacist extremism (if you can even call it a condemnation and not a disgusting love letter to his fan base), isn’t only completely empty, but contradicted by his policies and actions.
Sammy Rangel, executive director of Life After Hate, says:
“The funding is for the crisis intervention initiatives that help pull violent extremists out of their lifestyles across the United States. This direct service assists people in resisting violent urges, and provides resources to anyone questioning racist ideologies. Our actions are saving lives.”
Bee, who explains to Entertainment Weekly that the group first came to their attention “during a field piece because we learned about the imminent loss of that grant,” says of Trump’s statement:
“We have heard his message. We see who he is. He reveals himself in his actions — and particularly in his inaction. He doesn’t understand how to demonstrate leadership on any level. It’s pathetic. It’s so embarrassing.”
If you have the means, you can support Life After Hate’s efforts here.
(via AV Club, image: screencap)
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