The ANSWER Coalition is a signer to the following solidarity statement, which has been endorsed by 60 organizations, supporting youth from South Korea who were banned from entry into the United States prior to Trump's trip to Asia. It was sent to the organization, Ban Trump's Crazy action (BTC) and the U.S. Statement Department, on Nov. 3, 2017.
On Wednesday, October 25, 2017, fifteen South Korean youth activists were denied entry into the United States. Their delegation, Ban Trump’s Crazy action (BTC), was coming to the United States to protest Trump administration policies and proclamations toward North Korea – “fire and fury,” “totally destroy North Korea” - that are escalating tensions on the Korean peninsula and threatening a second Korean War.
But when they arrived at Incheon International airport, U.S. officials blocked their departure telling the youth their ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) was not valid and that they needed hardcopy visas issued by the U.S. embassy. They later discovered that their ESTA approvals had been canceled earlier that morning. One member of their group who had earlier left for the United States was stopped at JFK airport, held in detention without access to a telephone, and scheduled for deportation the next day.
After being blocked from entering the United States, the delegation immediately held a protest at the airport and then moved to the U.S. Embassy in Seoul for a press conference. As peace-loving youth, they expressed shock at having been banned from entry into the United States. Their intention was only to protest Trump’s escalation of tension in Korea through dance, song, and marching, and to meet U.S. citizens who share their desire for peace. “Why do you fear us, Trump? We are not terrorists. Lift the entry ban now!,” they proclaimed. BTC will continue to protest their ban at the U.S. Embassy and hold peace vigils until Donald Trump’s arrival in Seoul on November 7th.
Stand with BTC
As organizations and individuals who advocate open borders, freedom of speech, and peaceful resolution of international conflicts, we strongly protest the U.S. entry ban of the members of BTC and demand a full explanation for this action and immediate reversal of this decision. We also forcefully oppose the Trump administration’s escalation of tension with North Korea, fully support South Korean peacemakers mobilizing to protest Trump’s visit to their country and preparing for mass demonstrations on November 4th, and stand in solidarity with all people - Koreans, citizens of the United States, and others throughout the world - unconditionally committed to preventing a second Korean War.
People in U.S. standing for peace and no wars on the Korean Peninsula
Endorsing organizations: (alphabetical order)
- About Face
- Action One Korea, Los Angeles
- ANSWER Coalition
- Association d'amitié franco-coréenne (AAFC) France Korea Friendship Association
- Baltimore City Green Party
- Brooklyn For Peace
- Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament in the UK
- Campaign for Peace, Disarmament and Common Security
- Catholic Workers
- Channing and Popai Liem Education Foundation
- Citizens Opposing Active Sonar Threats (COAST)
- CODEPINK
- Dorchester People for Peace
- Eclipse Rising
- Ecumenical Peace Institute/Clergy and Laity Concerned
- Environmentalists Against War
- Forum Against Imperialist War and NATO (Spain)
- France-Korea Friendship Association (Association d'amitié franco-coréenne, AAFC)
- Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space, National
- Granny Peace Brigade Philadelphia
- Hampton Institute
- Individuals for Justice
- HOBAK (Hella Organized Bay Area Koreans)
- International Action Center, National
- International Action Center, New York
- International Committee for Democratic Liberties in South Korea,
- International Forum on Globalization, San Francisco
- Korea Policy Institute
- Korean American National Coordinating Council, inc
- Korean Peace Alliance, Los Angeles
- LEPOCO Peace Center (Lehigh-Pocono Committee of Concern), Bethlehem, PA
- Malu 'Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action
- Nanum Corean Cultural Center, Los Angeles
- New York Association for Gender Rights Advocacy (NYAGRA)
- Nodutdol for Korean Community Development, New York
- Nuclear Age Peace Foundation
- Peace Action New York State
- Peace Action Montgomery
- Peace Action, National
- PEACEWORKERS
- Popular Resistance
- Progressive Asian Network for Action, Los Angeles
- Progressive Democrats of America
- RootsAction.org
- Show Up! America
- Support committee for Korean prisoners of conscience in US
- Task Force to Stop THAAD in Korea and US militarism in Asia and the Pacific, National
- TLtC Justice & Peace Committee
- United for Peace and Justice
- United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC), National
- US Labor Against the War
- US PEACE COUNCIL
- Veterans For Peace, Albuquerque Chapter
- Veterans For Peace, chapter 27
- Veterans For Peace - National
- Veterans For Peace - NYC Chapter 034
- Western States Legal Foundation
- Women Against Military Madness
- Women for Genuine Security
- World Beyond War
Sent to BTC in South Korea and Rex Tillerson, US State Department, Nov. 3, 2017.