'We are not partisan combatants': George W Bush posts emotional coronavirus video calling for unity
Video, featuring images of Americans' social distancing, frontline workers and emotional scenes of 9/11 fallout, has had more than 4m views
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Former President George W. Bush called for unity in an emotional video this weekend, urging Americans to remember that "we are not partisan combatants".
The video was posted on the official Twitter account of the George W. Bush Presidential Center and tagged @TheCallToUnite, a livestream where celebrities and public figures have been posting video messages during the pandemic.
There have been more than 65,000 deaths in the US from the coronavirus.
The video featured a voiceover from Bush set against an array of images of Americans social distancing, frontline workers and also included emotional scenes of Bush during his presidency, comforting people following 9/11.
He said: “We are not partisan combatants. We’re human beings, equally vulnerable and equally wonderful in the sight of God.”
It continued: "We cannot allow physical separation to become emotional isolation.
“This requires us to not only be compassionate but creative in our outreach. Let us remember that empathy and simple kindness are essential, powerful tools of national recovery.”
The video highlighted that impacts of the coronavirus “does not fall evenly" and the importance of caring for the elderly, the ill and the unemployed.
The video had more than 4m views as of Sunday morning.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments