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Rabbis react to White House appointment

Posted at 10:52 PM, Nov 16, 2016
and last updated 2016-11-16 22:52:54-05

The group T'ruah was in Bonita Springs for a rally on behalf of Coalition of Immokalee workers Wednesday.

T'ruah is a human rights group made up of rabbis from around the country.
They're also opposing the appointment of Steve Bannon as President Donald Trump's top advisor. Bannon led a right leaning website before being tapped by the president-elect.

"Breitbart.com has reported racist, anti-Semitic, homophobic views, it's well known that's what they do and to have the President-Elect bring someone into the White House who espouses hateful speech is deeply concerning," said Rabbi Rachel Kahn-Troster.

Rabbi Kahn-Troster says Bannon's appointment is stoking unrest in the country that already existed when Trump was elected.

"We've already seen, since the election, which believe it or not was a week ago, a rise in hate crimes against Muslims, against Jews, against people of color, against immigrants," she said.

Other T'ruah members were shocked to learn of the appointment.

"We do not need somebody who had been part of an organization that has supported white supremacist views, anti-immigration views, homophobic views, and often anti-Semitic views to be anywhere near the White House," said Rabbi Elliot Tepperman.

Kahn-Trotter is hopeful Trump will reconsider the appointment.

"We want his actions to speak louder than his words."

Bannon doesn't need confirmation by the senate, meaning only President-Elect Trump can fire him.