One of President Obama’s rhetorical fallbacks is to brand anything with which he disagrees “not who we are as Americans.” Donald Trump’s plan to deport illegal aliens? “That’s not who we are as Americans.” Limit the influx of Syrian refugees? “To slam the door in their faces would be a betrayal of who we are as Americans.”
It’s such a staple of Obama’s speeches that the Free Beacon last year managed to put together a video of 46 times the president declared “that’s not who we are.”
The technique is catching on, as opponents of North Carolina’s “bathroom law” have adopted #WeAreNotThis as their hashtag of choice. On Monday they gathered in front of the North Carolina State House to protest “Hate Bill 2” and make it clear that laws like North Carolina’s aren’t who we are as Americans.
"This bill is not about bathrooms. This bill is a lie. This city needs to hear from us!" #WeAreNotThis #RepealHB2 pic.twitter.com/gPtqtDOLDI
— ACLU (@ACLU) April 25, 2016
crowd singing along "somebody hurting my brother, my sister. and we won't be silent anymore" #WeAreNotThis #hb2 pic.twitter.com/N4v5QlfULT
— ACLU (@ACLU) April 25, 2016
Delivering more than 112K+ @ACLU @Change signatures demanding NC #RepealHB2 #WeAreNotThis pic.twitter.com/JtVsOdUIG9
— ACLU of North Carolina (@ACLU_NC) April 25, 2016
Happening now: anti-HB2 rally #RepealHB2 #WeAreNotThis pic.twitter.com/f4cirnIs1X
— Equality NC (@equalitync) April 25, 2016
plaza filled end to end #WeAreNotThis pic.twitter.com/RQmyxSlTNd
— ACLU (@ACLU) April 25, 2016
Something we learned today: Protesters need to be trained to participate in a “sit-in.” Make that two things: These are “brave souls.”
Brave souls training for sit in at NCGA to #RepealHB2 @ncnaacp #WeAreNotThis pic.twitter.com/sQPHyBImjR
— Jasmine BeachFerrara (@jbeachferrara) April 25, 2016
We in NJ stand in solidarity with LGBTQ folks in NC and beyond & @ACLU_NC in saying: #WeAreNotThis #RepealHB2 pic.twitter.com/r2jAJPldJx
— ACLU of New Jersey (@ACLUNJ) April 25, 2016
Standing with trans people everywhere to fight hate. #RepealHB2 #WeAreNotThis pic.twitter.com/qEZuVs2i9s
— Rebecca Farmer (@rebecca_f) April 25, 2016
Those who couldn’t be there in person sent their support over the Internet.
.@FFRF stands with the trans community and @ACLU in opposing religious bigotry. #WeAreNotThis #RepealHB2 pic.twitter.com/iDAJxJLEsy
— Maddy Ziegler (@MaddyZig) April 25, 2016
Trans and GNC people deserve safety, respect, and to pee in peace #WeAreNotThis #HB2 pic.twitter.com/XbhXutBDey
— Helen Bolton ? (@hbolton) April 25, 2016
Hey, it’s what’s her name with a reference to Texas’ HB2 abortion legislation, which she famously filibustered without success.
Another unconstitutional HB2 to repeal?!?
I stand with NC and reject the politics of hatred and intolerance! #RepealHB2 #WeAreNotThis
— Wendy Davis (@wendydavis) April 25, 2016
We stand with the LGBTQ community against hate & legalized discrimination. #RepealHB2 #WeAreNotThis pic.twitter.com/LkkpkprTVa
— Planned Parenthood Action (@PPact) April 25, 2016
Along with Bruce Springsteen and Pearl Jam, add Nick Jonas and Demi Lovato to those who have cancelled shows in North Carolina.
#RepealHB2 pic.twitter.com/YTpOxNP9cB
— Nick Jonas (@nickjonas) April 25, 2016
Has tour sponsor Honda pulled its dealerships out of North Carolina too?
https://twitter.com/RepSusiHamilton/status/724710444322177031
Action, not talk:
Trans woman and activist used the ladies restroom in North Carolina Governor's office. #WeAreNotThis #RepealHB2 https://t.co/UMWxR2nUTK
— The Honest and Wise (@mchinayon) April 25, 2016