Mollie Tibbetts' Father Implores Politicians to Stop Making Her Death Political
Ever since the alleged murderer in the death of University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts was revealed to be an undocumented immigrant, the case has become central to the heated national debate over immigration policy.
Mollie's father, Rob, however, is having none of it, and is not happy with how anti-immigration politicians are using Mollie's case to support racist views. Her father made it clear that he did not hold any animosity towards Iowan immigrants at his daughter's funeral last week, CNN reports, saying, "The Hispanic community are Iowans. They have the same values as Iowans. As far as I'm concerned, they're Iowans with better food."
Rob also wrote an op-ed for the Des Moines Register on Saturday, asking politicians to "please leave us out of your debate." He also specifically addressed, Donald Trump Jr., who said Mollie's murder was due to "open borders" and called the Democrat's reaction to her death "despicable" in his own op-ed.
Rob wrote:
...do not appropriate Mollie’s soul in advancing views she believed were profoundly racist. The act grievously extends the crime that stole Mollie from our family and is, to quote Donald Trump Jr., “heartless" and "despicable.”
Rob also added that his stepdaughter, "whom Mollie loved so dearly, is Latina," as well as her nephews. He went on:
The person who is accused of taking Mollie’s life is no more a reflection of the Hispanic community as white supremacists are of all white people. To suggest otherwise is a lie. Justice in my America is blind. This person will receive a fair trial, as it should be. If convicted, he will face the consequences society has set. Beyond that, he deserves no more attention. To the Hispanic community, my family stands with you and offers its heartfelt apology. That you’ve been beset by the circumstances of Mollie’s death is wrong. We treasure the contribution you bring to the American tapestry in all its color and melody. And yes, we love your food.
There's no saying yet whether Rob's op-ed will help remove Mollie from politician's and pundit's arguments, but for now the family is awaiting the trail of her alleged murderer.
Read the entire op-ed here.
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