Editor’s note: On June 14, this post was featured on MichaelSavage.com, and many of the resultant comments supporting Rep. King likely come from readers of that website.
While Rep. Peter King is spreading fear and anti-Muslim bias throughout the nation, a group of Long Islanders will gather to share a voice of reason and acceptance.
On Tuesday, a coalition of civil rights, religious, and interfaith groups, will protest the Long Island congressman’s upcoming so-called radicalization hearing targeting the American Muslim community by hosting a counter-hearing on religious freedom (Scroll down for details).
The coalition, Long Island Neighbors for American Values, recently formed to promote diversity and tolerance and to counter attempts to discriminate or otherwise target individuals or groups based on religion or ethnicity. It is made up of more than two dozen social justice organizations and interfaith groups.
In March, Congressman King, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, held the first in a series of hearings on the so-called radicalization of the American Muslim community and its level of cooperation with government anti-terrorism efforts. King’s second such hearing will be held Wednesday in Washington, DC. It will focus on the activities of Muslims in US prisons.
Muslim residents in Long Island and across the nation have been facing a disturbing wave of bigotry and religiously motivated discrimination that includes attacks on existing and proposed Islamic centers. King’s misguided hearings only serve to further demonize Muslim residents and inflame existing tensions.
Tuesday’s counter-hearing, which will be held at 10am at the Islamic Center of Long Island in Westbury, will feature testimony by local religious leaders and civil liberties advocates on the core American principle of religious freedom.
We’d love to have your support. Please join us in showing Rep. Peter King that Long Islanders believe in equality and religious freedom.
Samantha Fredrickson, Esq., is the Nassau Chapter Director of the New York Civil Liberties Union.
Image courtesy of the New York Civil Liberties Union via Flickr.
What:
A Hearing in Defense of Religious Freedom hosted by Long Island Neighbors for American Values
When:
Tuesday, June 14, 10am-11am
Where:
Islamic Center of Long Island, 835 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury
Who:
Samantha Fredrickson, director, NYCLU Nassau County Chapter
Bob Nuxoll, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Long Island Chapter
Neelofer Chaudry, director of policy for the Long Island Minority AIDS Coalition
Imam Isa Abdul Kareem, Ta Ha Masjid, Inc. in Roosevelt and Muslim chaplain at Nassau County Correctional Center
Phyllis Rice, vice-chair Nassau County Human Rights Commission
Sister Jeanne Clark, Pax Christi Long Island
Coalition Members:
Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Long Island Chapter
Empire Justice Center
Hillside Islamic Center
Islamic Center of Long Island
Jaam’e Masjid, Bellmore
Jobs with Justice
Long Island Alliance for Peaceful Alternatives
Long Island Civic Participation Project.
Long Island Council of Churches
Long Island Muslim Association
Long Island Teachers for Human Rights
Long Island Wins
Masjid Darul Qu’ran
Muslim Law Association at Hofstra
Muslim Peace Coalition
Muslims on Long Island
New York Civil Liberties Union, Nassau Chapter
New York Civil Liberties Union, Suffolk Chapter
Pax Christi, LI
Social Justice Committee of UUCSR
Strong Youth Inc.
The Workplace Project
