NEW YORK: More than 400 American writers, including big names such as Stephen King, David Eggers, Amy Tan, Junot Díaz and Cheryl Strayed, released an online petition on Tuesday to express their opposition to Republican presumptive nominee Donald Trump on the grounds that he is appealing to the darkest elements in American society, a media report here said on Wednesday.

Trump has been working to repair ties with many of his detractors, but among literary luminaries it is looking like it will be a tough task, The New York Times said in a report.

“The rise of a political candidate who deliberately appeals to the basest and most violent elements in society, who encourages aggression among his followers, shouts down opponents, intimidates dissenters, and denigrates women and minorities, demands, from each of us, an immediate and forceful response,” they wrote.

Published in Dawn, May 26th, 2016