Dear AT friends,
As people working in this rewarding but challenging field of assistive technology, there are times when we are called to stand with courage — this is one of those times, and I need your help.
The current administration of the United States has plunged all of us into a hurricane of violence and stupidity. I am writing to urge you to speak out publicly and commit yourself and your organization to ending this threat to our nation and indeed, the entire planet.
My concerns here are beyond politics — this is about the killing of innocent people, the desecration of decency, stability, calmness, and the rule of law. These are the basics, the fundamentals, that we Americans have counted on to provide a solid foundation for our lives and our core missions, whether as individuals or institutions. That business you are trying to run, those students you are trying to educate, the innovations you are trying to design — those missions are challenging enough in the best of times, and current levels of chaos and anxiety make those goals infinitely more difficult to achieve.
I urge you to: speak with clarity and conviction against what is happening, to join with other organizations in this effort, and to continue the fight as long as necessary to end this scourge. And today, and every day this week, contact your senators and urge them to vote No on any appropriations bill that fails to rein in ICE.
Silence in the face of this catastrophe is complicity. There is no longer any excuse to be “prudently cautious,” no longer any justification to wait until “others take the lead.” We may hope that compliance will buy safety, but it won’t. No group is secure. No organization is immune.
But if you stand up against what is occurring and do what you can to stop it, history will praise your leadership and courage. And we can get back to pursuing our important mission of helping others through assistive technology with full focus and energy.
Thank you, and I look forward to witnessing your commitment. Please let me know what you are doing to stand up for justice, and what ideas you have for effective actions. May decency prevail!