EDITOR'S NOTE: Here are a few of the most recent activities of CAIR and the Muslim-American community which are typical of the issues they frequently address as they affirm their civil rights and promote and understanding of Islam:
 PRESS RELEASE
SoCal Muslims Troubled by Potential Civil Rights Violations Over iWatch Program
LOS ANGELES, CA
October 14, 2009
The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today sought adequate civil liberties protections, oversight guarantees and increased accountability in the implementation of the Los Angeles Police Department's iWatch program.
Announced by outgoing Chief William Bratton and endorsed by the Major Cities Chiefs Association, the program aims to encourage ordinary citizens to report suspicious "behaviors and activities" that "may have a connection to terrorism."
The American Muslim community, including CAIR, support law enforcement efforts to thwart terrorism and reiterate our cooperation in keeping America safe.
However, CAIR representatives remain concerned about the possible racial and religious profiling that may occur via the implementation of this program. While the iWatch program states it is specifically designed to spot "behavior and activities, and not individuals," the broad nature of the indicators may easily lead to racial and religious profiling.
SEE: Chief Bratton Defends iWatch Program (LA Weekly)
The Muslim community's apprehension over the proposed iWatch program is amplified by LAPD's previous attempts to institute the "mapping" of Los Angeles Muslims, coupled with multiple reports CAIR-LA has received from community members in the past in which innocent citizens were turned in as 'terror suspects' or accused of "terrorist affiliations" because of their racial and religious background.
As an example, a Southern California Muslim man's co-worker at a government agency allegedly reported to FBI that the man was Middle-Eastern and may be engaged in suspicious activity since he is a scientist for this agency. FBI agents questioned the man, a U.S. citizen, and his wife for an hour at their home, including asking them "where their loyalty" lies.
In another case, a Muslim woman and her husband in Arizona were wrongfully evicted from their apartment, and the manager allegedly reported to the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) that the couple had left behind "radical Islamic material" and "September 11th related material." JTTF agents questioned and later cleared the couple, after asking them invasive questions such as whether the husband wears an Islamic turban.
"We have consistently encouraged community members to report any criminal activity to law enforcement," said Affad Shaikh, CAIR-LA civil rights manager.
"However, the current level of fear and suspicion toward Arabs, South Asians, and Muslims has led to severe violations of individuals' civil liberties and privacy. We urge law enforcement to recognize that this program, absent civil rights guarantees, will only aggravate this fear and undermine our collective security."
CONTACT: CAIR-LA Communications Manager Munira Syeda, 714-776-1847, E-mail: info@losangeles.cair.com
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PRESS RELEASE
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Office of Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez
47th District, California
www.house.gov/sanchez
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Caroline Hogan
Phone: (202) 225-2965
October 14, 2009 |
REP. LORETTA SANCHEZ DENOUNCES WITCH HUNT FOR STUDENT "SPIES" Republican Reps. accuse Islamic advocacy group of "planting" Muslim interns and staffers on Capitol Hill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-47) today issued the following statement regarding news that four Republican lawmakers have accused the Center for American-Islamic Relations [Council on American-Islamic Relations] of planting intern "spies" in Capitol Hill offices and committees:
"Earlier today, Politico reported that some of my Republican colleagues have formally asked the House Sergeant at Arms to investigate the Center for American-Islamic Relations for "planting" Muslim interns and staffers on the Hill. I am appalled by this request, and the insinuation that Muslim-Americans are somehow conspiring against this country through their work on Capitol Hill.
"As a strong advocate for diversity and religious freedom, I find these claims to be outrageous and offensive. I urge the rest of my colleagues to join me in denouncing this witch hunt, which is clearly intended to create fear and distrust in our Capitol Hill community."
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ARTICLE from POLITICO
Islam Group Ridicules 'Spies' Claim
by Jake Sherman and Martin Kady II, Politico
October 14, 2009
Four Republican lawmakers have accused the most prominent Islamic advocacy group in Washington of trying to plant "spies" as interns on Capitol Hill.
The claim was quickly denounced as "racist" and "insidious" by the Council on American-Islamic Relations, and the effort appears to have little support from GOP leaders.
In an unusual announcement this morning, four conservative Republicans - Reps. John Shadegg (Ariz.), Paul Broun (Ga.), Trent Franks (Ariz.) and Sue Myrick (N.C.) - formally asked the House Sergeant at Arms to launch an investigation of the Center for American-Islamic Relations. They accused CAIR, a non profit group, of trying to infiltrate Capitol Hill with interns and staffers.
And the response from CAIR?
"We would love to help people find jobs on Capitol Hill," said Ibrahim Hooper, the communications director for CAIR. "There's a Muslim Staffer Association. Should they be investigated?"
The proclamation from the four Republicans came in advance of a book, entitled "Muslim Mafia: Inside the Secret Underworld that's Conspiring to Islamize America," which includes a forward by Myrick. The author of the book, Dave Gaubatz, an anti-Islam activist who wrote last year that "a vote for Hussein Obama is a vote for Sharia Law."
The lawmakers also released a one page "strategy" document they said they obtained from CAIR. But the document basically lays out a fairly straight forward public relations and lobbying strategy and indeed, one of the goals is "placing Muslim interns in congressional offices" and registering people to vote...
Hooper pointed out that there are indeed many Muslim staffers on Capitol Hill, CAIR is a lobbying organization, and its executive director is on Capitol Hill today -- speaking at an interfaith forum on health care with other religious groups in the Rayburn building. ...
SEE: Islam Group Ridicules Muslim 'Spies' Claim (Politico) |
