1. United States
2. Wisc.
3. Letter

Senator Kennedy's remarks towards Ms. Berry, a leading Arab American activist, during the Senate hearing on hate crimes were deeply concerning. His repeated insinuations that she supports terrorist organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah solely based on her ethnicity and advocacy were racist and unfounded. Furthermore, telling her to "hide her head in a bag" was highly offensive and dehumanizing. Such harmful rhetoric from an elected official promotes hatred, division, and a hostile environment for Arab and Muslim Americans. In the interest of combating hate and upholding democratic values of equality and mutual respect, Senator Kennedy should be formally censured for his egregious and discriminatory conduct during the hearing. Public servants must be held accountable when they perpetuate bigotry and prejudice through their words and actions.