Kal Penn starts fundraiser for Syrian refugees

Image
Press Trust of India Los Angeles
Last Updated : Jan 29 2017 | 12:57 PM IST
Indian-origin American actor Kal Penn has started a CrowdRise fundraiser in the name of a commenter who told him he doesn't belong in the US.
The message appeared to be written in an Instagram post of 39-year-old Penn's, in which he spoke out about the personal effect President Donald Trump's "Muslim Ban" is having on him and his friends, reported People magazine.
"Families are being torn apart," Penn wrote.
"Shame on us. This is un-American. ?What Donald Trump and the Republican Party are doing is wholly unAmerican."
His online critic responded, "you don't belong in this country you ... Joke."
Penn, who worked in President Obama's administration as an associate director in the White House Office of Public Engagement and plays fictional White House Press Secretary Seth Wright on the hit ABC show Designated Survivor, was born in Montclair, New Jersey, to Gujarati immigrant parents.
Responding to the racist claims with a charity effort is an example of the love Penn sees in the United States, he said.
"We are better than the hateful people who tell us we don't belong in our own country, that America can't be a beacon of freedom and hope for refugees from around the world," Penn wrote in the fundraiser's description.
"We will turn their bigotry, along with the President's, into love."
Within 30 minutes of the fundraiser's posting, it had already received over USD 5,000 in donations.
Penn's response is just one of the many ways in which Americans are responding in opposition to President Trump's executive order, which he signed Friday.

Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content

*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Jan 29 2017 | 12:57 PM IST

Next Story