Petition Demands Zeldin Be Removed From U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council

NORTH FORK, NY — A group has come together and created a petition, asking for the removal of Rep. Lee Zeldin from the United States Holocaust Memorial Council in Washington, D.C.

"As a member of the USHMC, as a steward of our collective memory of atrocity, Lee Zeldin has a responsibility to work towards ensuring that identity-based hatred has no place in our society. Representative Zeldin is failing in this primary responsibility," the petition states.

After Saturday's violence in Charlottesville, Zeldin released a statement.

"Anyone associating themselves with the KKK and Nazism is associating themselves with hatred, bigotry, racism, intolerance and a tremendously inhumane past filled with horrible evil. This is one of the extremes that exist in our society that has a long history of trying to tear us apart," he wrote. "We are still learning the facts of what happened yesterday in Charlottesville and there is evidence that the violence came from multiple groups and multiple sides and really no one can be defended who traveled to this beautiful, historic city for the sole purpose of causing physical harm to others. It's indefensible."

The statement continued: "For that domestic terrorist who drove that car through that crowded street, his homicidal behavior must result in a prosecution to the fullest extent of the law. For the protesters with pure, good, genuine and peaceful purposes, I think it is very important you were brave enough to be there to lend your voice. For any of the protesters on either side with extremist views and violent purposes, you are 100% completely in the wrong."

The petition maintains that Zeldin's "tepid statement about the domestic terrorism that took place in Charlottesville this weekend failed to call out Nazi and white nationalist movements. His statement, echoing remarks by the president, effectively puts Nazis and those opposing Nazis on equal footing, calling them both 'extremes that try to tear us all apart.' Zeldin’s remarks are a dog whistle by omission, and the Nazis are hearing that whistle loud and clear."

Scared Americans, the petition said, are relying on leaders "to call this out; to condemn identity-based hate in no uncertain terms. We are relying as well on institutions like the United States Holocaust Memorial to uphold its mission; to remind us of what happens to a democratic country when hate is used as the fastest route to power."

When asked for comment, Zeldin's media representative responded: "Congressman Zeldin has stated, 'Anyone associating themselves with the KKK and Nazism is associating themselves with hatred, bigotry, racism, intolerance and a tremendously inhumane past filled with horrible evil.' He has also said, 'Their violent acts inspired by deep hatred are disgusting, un-American, and unwelcome in our great nation.' One would have to question the true intentions of a person who would want to target Congressman Zeldin for being soft on this topic."

The petition asks that Zeldin be removed from the Council until he demands "Trump disavow Neo-Nazis, skinheads, the KKK, white nationalism, and fire White House staff who are allies to the Alt-Right," demands funding to fight white nationalism, de-funds Trump's "anti-immigrant budget proposals," and protects immigrants from deportation.

The petition has 1,049 of 2,000 needed signatures, organizers said.