BOSTON – More than 12,300 Massachusetts residents have signed the state Democratic Party’s petition calling on Governor Charlie Baker to take a stand against President-Elect Donald Trump’s choice of Steve Bannon, a prolific white supremacist, as Chief Strategist and Senior Counsel.

“It is beyond belief that in a recent private call with Donald Trump, Governor Baker said nothing to the President-Elect about his appointment of Steve Bannon to a leading position in the White House,” said Democratic State Party Chairman Gus Bickford. “The Governor’s failure to speak up is just as dangerous as an endorsement when bigotry, misogyny, and white supremacy are concerned. One day of silence is an appeasement. We are now on day 18.”

Senator Elizabeth Warren and Senator Ed Markey have condemned the Bannon appointment and all nine of the state’s US Representatives have signed a letter urging the President-Elect to immediately remove Bannon.

In his statement against Bannon’s appointment, Senator Markey said, “There is no place in our society, let alone the White House, for purveyors like Steve Bannon of hate and violence against any group of Americans. President-elect Trump will forever poison the well with Congress and the American people by appointing a figure who has fueled the rhetoric and activities of hate groups that actively promote violence against immigrants, Muslims, women, African-Americans, the LGBTQ community, and people of Jewish faith.” 

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey has also expressed her deep concern about the President-Elect’s appointment of Bannon and the Governor’s lack of action. Earlier this month she told the State House News Service, “"It's concerning for me to see the governor, who sat out this election, now take a wait-and-see approach on something like an appointment of Steve Bannon. For me, Bannon isn't a wait-and-see situation. He is a white supremacist now named to a top White House position to advise the president-elect and that is something that needs to be denounced and rejected. I don't think it's prejudging to look at Bannon's record of vile behavior and say there's any situation to have him anywhere near the White House, let alone advising the president."

Trump’s appointment of Bannon has been roundly criticized by Democratic and Republican leaders across the country, while being celebrated by former Imperial Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan David Duke and leaders of the American Nazi party.

“The Governor continues to remain silent while Trump fills his cabinet with right-wing zealots focused on dismantling the rights of citizens when it comes to free speech and access to healthcare and a quality public education,” said Bickford.

The Massachusetts Democratic Party has a goal of collecting 15,000 signatures on the #SpeakUpCharlie petition.