Stories of hate crimes have been gathering more attention in the days since the Presidential election. The development is drawing a strong response from Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. "We have to stand tall. We have to speak out," Gillibrand said during a Tuesday appearance in Buffalo.
The comments from Gillibrand followed a meeting with some members of the immigrant and refugee community on Buffalo's West Side.
"But do not be afraid. We are stronger as a country. We welcome our diversity. And we will overcome this."
Gillibrand was joined by the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power for a round table discussion at Catholic Charities on the contributions made by local immigrants and refugees. Power believes diversity and openness are key to America's leadership in the world.
"I live it everyday. We're one of 193 countries. Yes we got a big military. Yes we got a big economy," Power pointed out.
"But what people come up to me shining about, marveling about, is not the size of our military or our economy. It's our openness, our diversity, our pluralism. And the fact that we are a nation of laws. And we will continue to enforce those laws."
Sen. Gillibrand said this is not a country that will tolerate anti-Semitism, bigotry, racism or sexism. She says bringing communities together is what makes this country great.