We are concerned citizens living in South Orange and Maplewood, New Jersey. The core values of our community, and indeed our democracy, are equality, freedom of speech and religion, integrity and diversity.  These values are not unique to our community; they are core American values and are the foundation of our Republic. During the last week, President Trump has made it clear, through his statements, political appointees, executive orders, and spread of misinformation, that he does not share these values. The Republican Party, through its threats to defund Planned Parenthood and repeal the ACA and by turning a blind eye to President Trump’s actions, has also made it clear that it will not protect our freedoms and rights. From the immigrants in our community who fear for their uncertain future and the LGBTQ families who worry about discrimination and regression of their rights, to those of us with children who are concerned about a decrease in funding for our public schools, our community is concerned that our values, and many of our rights, are under attack. To that end we implore you to:

• Oppose President Trump’s Cabinet nominees; including and especially, Jeff Sessions, whose civil rights record suggests that he does not support equality before the law. These cabinet appointments do not reflect our values and will damage our country through the implementation of extreme views. Thank you for opposing Betsy DeVos. 
• Continue to oppose President Trump’s xenophobic, anti-Muslim executive orders banning refugees and immigration from Muslim majority countries. These policies run counter to the best traditions of the United States of accepting and integrating waves of immigrants.  
• Vigorously defend the Affordable Care Act, understanding that healthcare is a right for all citizens.
• Strenuously defend voting rights and oppose efforts to curtail voting including fighting against false accusations of voter fraud that could result in further undermining our democracy through added restrictions and voter suppression. 
• Actively combat the spread of misinformation and propaganda. 
• Refuse to support any nominee to the Supreme Court who does not support the values of our community. We cannot allow Roe V. Wade or Marriage Equality to be overturned. This would have wide-reaching and potentially radical negative consequences to our community and country.

Senator, as we think you agree, these are not normal times, and Mr. Trump is not a normal President. Political actions that in normal times might have seemed zealous or overly partisan are now demanded of citizens and patriots, especially those in leadership positions. The positions of President Trump’s Administration do not reflect the moral character and constitutional underpinnings of our community and our nation. When it comes to the fundamental rights and freedoms that form the foundation of our nation, we simply cannot accept compromise - from ourselves, our communities, and especially our elected leaders. History will judge us all. We must stand for justice without exception.

We thank you for supporting the values of our community and we expect that they will guide your decision making in the days ahead.