New Long Island Coalition of Community and Religious Groups Challenges Rep. King’s ‘Muslim Radicalization’ Hearings

At a rally on Saturday, May 21 outside U.S. Rep. Peter King’s Massapequa Park office, the New York Civil Liberties Union will join a new coalition of civil rights advocates, religious and interfaith groups, educators and concerned individuals to protest the anti-Muslim politics of Congressman King, whose recent ‘radicalization’ hearings in the House served to demonize Muslim residents, inflame existing tensions, and harm our Long Island communities.

The coalition, Long Island Neighbors for American Values, has formed to promote diversity and tolerance on Long Island. Saturday’s rally is its first event. The First Unitarian Church of Brooklyn’s social justice committee, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Queens and the social action committee of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Essex County, NJ are co-sponsoring the rally.

“Congressional hearings like Congressman King’s, which challenge a religious community’s loyalty to the United States, are misguided and discriminatory,” said Samantha Fredrickson, director of the NYCLU’s Nassau County Chapter. “Long Island Neighbors will provide a voice of reason in a climate that’s too often charged with fear-mongering and hate.”

Long Island Neighbors for American Values believes that Long Island, New York, and our country are stronger when people work together. Because the coalition embraces the constitutional rights of religious liberty and equality, it invites local community members to stand together and reject all attempts to discriminate or otherwise target individuals or groups based on religion or ethnicity.

“Discriminating against any religious or ethnic group is un-American, unfair, and violates America’s core ideals,” said Amol Sinha, director of the NYCLU’s Suffolk County Chapter. “Our new coalition will respond to state and local politics that are rooted in bias and are hostile to Muslim-Americans or any religious or ethnic minority.”

Long Island residents who believe in diversity can join the coalition on May 21 to protest anti-Muslim politics and advance the goal of tolerance in Long Island, New York and our nation.

What:
Long Island Neighbors for American Values Rally/Protest Against Bias and Discrimination on Long Island

When:
Saturday, May 21, 12 – 2 p.m.

Where:
District Office of Rep. Peter King, 1003 Park Blvd., Massapequa Park

Who: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
Society of American Law Teachers
Strong Youth Inc.
The Workplace Project