CAIR-NY Welcomes Limiting of Committee Assignments for NYC Council Member Who Called for Expulsion of Muslims from U.S.
The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed a decision by New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin to limit committee assignments for Councilwoman Vickie Paladino due to her “abhorrent” and “unacceptable” social media posts about Muslims and other minorities.
Paladino recently called for the expulsion of Muslims from the United States.
Last month, CAIR-NY joined calls for Paladino’s censure. Paladino’s remarks sparked widespread condemnation from elected officials, civil rights advocates, and community leaders across New York City and beyond.
In a statement, Afaf Nasher, Esq., CAIR-NY Executive Director, said:
“We welcome Speaker Menin’s decision to hold Council Member Paladino accountable for her hateful and dangerous rhetoric. Calls to expel an entire religious community from the United States are not only morally reprehensible, but fundamentally incompatible with the values of our city and our Constitution.
“While this step is important, it should be part of a broader effort to ensure that elected officials understand there are real consequences for promoting Islamophobia, racism and bigotry. New York City must remain a place where Muslims and all communities are treated with dignity, safety and equal respect.”
She noted that other Republican lawmakers nationwide also called for the expulsion of Muslims.
The Washington Post quoted CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, who “attributes much of the resurgence in anti-Muslim rhetoric to mobilization by American Muslims in protest of Israel’s military offensive in Gaza” saying:
“Some of the anti-Muslim conspiracy theories that died out years ago, like Muslims plotting take over America and impose sharia law, or the Muslim Brotherhood secretly controlling all American Muslims … about nine months ago, they all came back in a flood. We certainly do not want to see the progress that American Muslims have made in media, politics and activism and in the courts of law eroded by this wave of hate that we’re seeing.”
CAIR: Some Republican lawmakers call for mass expulsion of American Muslims – Washington Post
SEE ALSO: CAIR: Democrats condemn Republicans calling for Muslim ban on the heels of Australia shooting – The Guardian
Republicans seek severe immigration crackdown over D.C. shooting: “Deport them all. Now.” – Axios
GOP senator calls to ban, deport ‘Islam’ immigrants over National Guard shooting – The Hill
CAIR-NY’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR-NY es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: Afaf Nasher, Esq., CAIR-NY Executive Director, 917-669-4006, anasher@cair.com; CAIR-NY Communications Team, comms@ny.cair.com; CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com