FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 16, 2024
October 16, 2024
Contact:
Michael Newberger
202-702-2724
[email protected]
Nation’s Largest Federal Union Condemns Fearmongering, Threats, and Misinformation Against FEMA Workers
AFGE National President calls for end of political exploitation and dangerous rhetoric after FEMA workers were threatened in Rutherford County, NC
WASHINGTON – The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the largest union representing federal workers, including nearly 4,000 employees at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), strongly condemns all threats of violence and dangerous misinformation being used against FEMA employees working to assist the American people in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
AFGE National President Everett Kelley issued the following statement:
“Our members at FEMA have been targeted by vile and baseless conspiracy theories and lies spread by rightwing extremists. Not only are these types of rhetoric an affront to our sense of shared decency and civic values, they undermine the ability to deliver assistance to those who need it the most.
“Words have consequences, and the fact that the rhetoric has caused actual threats of violence should inspire a moment of reflection for those parroting these absurd, dangerous, and outright lies.
“FEMA employees leave their families, working in dangerous conditions to provide emergency assistance before, during and, after horrific weather disasters. These workers should be able to do their jobs without threats from those who have bought into the lies of politicians choosing to exploit disasters by fearmongering to gain votes.
“AFGE stands with those who have been severely impacted and mourns the lives of those we lost to these deadly hurricanes, and we call for an end to the harmful lies so that our members can focus on serving the American people.”
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