Figures like MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow were quick to attack Trump for abandoning Ukraine, when the only way to really protect Ukrainian lives is to end the war as soon as possible. Maddow and her counterparts have a major influence over liberal leaning people in the U.S. Every U.S. war has required the media to build public support for it – Ukraine is no different! If Rachel Maddow really cares about Ukrainians and their lives, she would support a ceasefire and negotiations, and platform people who support those ideas.
Rachel Maddow & MSNBC,
We, the undersigned, demand that you host more experts that support peace in Ukraine on your program. Your influence reaches millions of Americans who have been inundated with propaganda since the war in Ukraine started.
On February 28th you aired a segment titled, “Who is that good for?” where you insinuate that Trump having conversations with Putin is a negative thing. You also slam the Trump Administration’s comments about it being unrealistic for Ukraine to expect to retain the territory it lost during the war. You also presented the administration’s statement about Ukraine not being able to join NATO as a negative. We view diplomacy as a positive, and any step towards peace as a step in the right direction. In your segment, you insist that these steps by the Trump Administration would only benefit Putin. In reality, an end to this war would benefit the millions of Ukrainians who have suffered for the last three years because the U.S. and NATO have deliberately prolonged and provoked this war.
Ayman Mohyeldinm A colleague of yours at MSNBC hosted Jeffrey Sachs on March 2 to discuss Ukraine. Sachs would be a great person to have on your show to educate your audience about the history of NATO as well as the territories in Ukraine that are being disputed. From 2001 to 2018, Sachs was special advisor to the UN Secretary General and has worked on issues surrounding NATO very intensely for decades. He deeply supports peace in Ukraine, and would provide your audience with the nuance and information it needs to create an informed opinion about Ukraine.
We also recommend peace activists like Medea Benjamin who has written a book on Ukraine, toured the world talking to people about the war, and dedicated her life to peace and justice. Not only has Medea written a book on Ukraine, but also co-authored a book on NATO. She’s visited Ukraine since the war began and would have great insights and teachings to share with your audience.
The war in Ukraine is complicated, and when you influence so many people in the United States, you have a deep responsibility to platform peace makers who understand the issue, its origins, and what peace could look like. Please, support negotiations for a peaceful end to the war and platform people who can teach your audience!