Columbia University's Fencing Team Question Where Their Letter To Trump Went

Moms.com

By Deb Goncalves

Published Nov 23, 2019

The fencing team of Columbia University prepared a letter on gender equality to give to Trump. Due to security purpose they couldn't hand it directly.

Credit: rollingstone

The fencing team of Columbia University, gather with other NCAA teams at the White House's National Champions Day. They wanted to give President Trump a letter on their beliefs about the administration's policies on gender issues.

The team members organized a letter to hand to the president, opposing the government's stance. They were informed that the athletes were not allowed to approach President Trump directly, by the Secret Services. Team captain, Elise Gout, told USA Today Sports, "We passed the letter to a member of the (White House) press team, but it remains unclear if (the press team spokesman) will actually deliver it as he said he would."

Credit: politico.com

The letter stated that, though, the team was honored that the president was with them, they felt segregated. The have pushed to understand the team's individual strengths. This means that regardless of gender each member adds their unique abilities to the team as a whole. They feel that President Trump is unfair towards the equality of gender.

The team has decided to wear white buttons to signify their stance on the discrimination of gender. They feel that they are a small team, but doing their part to help those who have on voice, because of their gender. They claim they are fighting for a "greater freedom," as they said in their duplicate letter given to the Washington Post.

Other team members had chosen not to show up to the event. Another team captain, Nolen Scruggs, respected their decision, but felt that it was important for all to show their faces to relay the message.

President Trump has welcomed the NCAA teams before. He has stated that he enjoyed their presence. He is admired by their commitment, achievements and athleticism. He is inviting all members to the Oval Office. He joked, "So far, nobody has turned that one down." He was referring to other teams who want nothing to do with Trump's invitations, such as the NBA's Golden State Warriors.