QUEENS — Rep. Grace Meng will boycott the presidential inauguration of Donald Trump Friday because of his “inflammatory rhetoric,” she announced Wednesday morning.
Meng, whose 6th Congressional District includes Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Middle Village, Bayside and Flushing, said in her statement that she had hoped that the president-elect would put an end to “his antagonistic and divisive comments.”
“But obviously that pivot has not occurred,” she said.
I will not be attending the inauguration of @realDonaldTrump. My statement: https://t.co/vsMyae6fMy
— Grace Meng (@RepGraceMeng) January 18, 2017
“I have heard from many constituents and I thought long and hard about this decision,” she noted. “I respect the office of the President and our nation’s peaceful transfer of power.”
But she said it's impossible to “tolerate attacks on women, minorities or a civil rights icon,” said Meng, referring to Trump's recent attacks on Rep. John Lewis, a famed civil rights leader, via a series of tweets.
Shocked to see @repjohnlewis insulted by PEOTUS. “All talk, no action” could not be farther from the truth. https://t.co/JNu814RUxA
— Grace Meng (@RepGraceMeng) January 15, 2017
She also said that, while she will work with Trump in the future “whenever possible,” this weekend she will instead participate in the Women’s March on Washington, an event scheduled for Saturday which organizers said is to promote women’s equality and defend minorities.
“I look forward to welcoming constituents who travel to Washington, D.C. for this weekend’s festivities," Meng said.
Meng joins a growing group of Democratic lawmakers boycotting the inauguration. The roster of New York elected officials planning to boycott the inauguration includes Reps. Adriano Espaillat, Yvette Clarke, Jose Serrano, Jerrold Nadler and Nydia Velazquez.
“We need a leader who will bring our country together, and live up to the dignity and honor of the Oval Office,” Meng said.
