Joe Garofoli and Carla Marinucci, San Francisco Chronicle, 5/6/09
Conservative talk show host Michael Savage's commentary has offended groups from parents of autistic kids to Muslim leaders.
But the San Francisco-based syndicated talker, who made a "name and shame" list of people banned from entering Britain, may have been shocked himself to find some of his opponents, including civil libertarians, defending him.
On Tuesday, British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith published the names of 16 of 22 people banned from the country since October for allegedly fostering extremism or hatred. Along with Savage, who has called the Quran, the Muslim holy book, "a book of hate," Muslim extremists, jailed Russian gang members and a militant Israeli settler were banned. Smith cited "public interest" reasons for not disclosing six of the names…
Civil libertarians say the move illustrates the increasing willingness of countries, including the United States, to "use their borders as a weapon of censorship," said Jameel Jaffer, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union.
In March, more than 70 organizations, including the ACLU, signed a letter asking Attorney General Eric Holder, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to end "ideological exclusion," described as "refusing visas to foreign scholars, writers, artists and activists not on the basis of their actions but on the basis of their ideas, political views and associations."…
Indeed, even the Council for American-Islamic Relations - who along with the Electronic Frontier Foundation was embroiled in a lawsuit last year with Savage over on-air comments he made about Muslims and the Quran, defended his right to free expression. Last year, the organization posted clips of Savage's program and called for an advertiser boycott. Savage sued the council for copyright infringement, but a judge ruled the group's actions were protected by free speech.
Though council spokesman Ibrahim Hooper condemned Savage's anti-Islamic comments, "as a matter of principle, we don't support such bans. They tend to be selective, in that only popular speech is allowed and unpopular speech is not allowed."
Ban spurs publicity
"Usually, these types of things (the ban) just give people like this publicity," Hooper said. "I don't think Savage will be too upset. It will give him something to talk about on his show for the next six months. 'I was banned in England.' " (More)
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KENNEDY: WHAT WERE REPUBLICANS THINKING BY 'RUMBLE AT ROMANO'S'? - TOP
Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star Telegram, 5/6/09
Sometimes I really miss President Bush.
Monday was one of those nights. A Republican club in Fort Worth chose up sides and debated whether American Muslims are (1) good religious conservatives or (2) "sleeper cells" hiding in wait to overthrow America and impose Islamic law.
In front of Muslim Republican business owners and government officials, a spokeswoman for a Florida-based political advocacy group asked Republicans to stop the "Islamization" of the U.S. and protect religious freedom by refusing to allow observances of Islamic holidays.
Huh?
Our Dallas neighbor, George W. Bush, used to have a blunt message for those like Dorrie O’Brien of Grand Prairie, who once picketed Six Flags over Muslim Family Day.
"Ours is a country based on tolerance," Bush said in 2002. "We respect the faith and we welcome people of all faiths in America. And we’re not going to let the war on terror or terrorists cause us to change our values."
Four months after his retirement, what’s changed?
"There’s no more Republicans in power saying things like that," said Mark Hanson, an Arlington optometrist and president of the Arlington Republican Club. "There’s no Republicans in power at all."
Some remaining Republicans seem determined to chase away Muslim conservatives. And Hispanic conservatives. And also those gay and lesbian fiscal conservatives who might think commitment is a conservative idea.
At this rate, pretty soon there won’t be enough Republicans left for a radio talk show. (More)
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NOT WILD ABOUT WILDERS - TOP
Shani McManus, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, 5/6/09
The old maxim, "politics makes strange bedfellows," definitely came to mind this past week when two, philosophically divergent civil rights organizations joined forces in condemning a controversial, pro-Israel and anti-terrorist speaker who visited South Florida.
While not exactly in the same bed …, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which calls itself "the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism," and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a controversial Muslim civil liberties and advocacy group, certainly seemed to be on the same page in blasting Dutch politician and filmmaker Geert Wilders for his outspoken views on Islamic extremism.
The brouhaha came on the heels of Wilders' April 26 speech at Palm Beach Synagogue, one of three venues in Palm Beach County that hosted Wilders, and where he received a standing ovation.
"Islam is not a religion. Islam is a totalitarian political ideologue," Wilders told the packed synagogue.
"Islam[s] heart lies at the Quran, and the Quran is a book that calls for hatred, that calls for violence, for murder, for terrorism, for war and submission," he noted. "We should also stop pretending that Islam is a religion."
The Dutch parliamentarian and leader of the Party for Freedom also called for stopping immigration from Muslim countries and urged "voluntary repatriation" to those countries. Wilders' 2008 film "Fitna" (Arabic for "test of faith"), about Islam in the Netherlands, has received international attention, along with a number of death threats for the filmmaker. Unperturbed, Wilders is planning a sequel. And due to his outspoken views on Islam, he was recently banned from entering the United Kingdom, prompting him to embark on a speaking tour of the United States.
Prior to his Palm Beach Synagogue appearance, Wilders gave a similar address at a "Free Speech Summit" in Delray Beach, attended by Florida Sate Rep. Adam Hasner, R - Delray Beach, who was strongly criticized by CAIR for hosting Wilders. CAIR also called for Hasner to step down as majority leader of the Florida House.
"It is unconscionable that a top leader of an American state legislature would host a gathering at which the faith of millions of Americans is denigrated and their rights denied," CAIR national communications director Ibrahim Hooper said in a statement. "Republican Party leaders in Florida and nationwide must demand that [Rep.] Hasner step down from his leadership post because of his support for Geert Wilders' Nazi-like message."
Following Wilders' speech and a screening of his film at the synagogue, CAIR issued another statement calling on members of the Jewish community to "condemn the anti-Islam hate of a speaker who was recently given a standing ovation at a Florida synagogue."
The ADL quickly responded by issuing its own statement blasting Wilders remarks.
"The ADL strongly condemns Geert Wilders' message of hate against Islam as inflammatory, divisive and antithetical to American democratic ideals," Andrew Rosenkranz, ADL Florida regional director said. "This rhetoric is dangerous and incendiary, and wrongly focuses on Islam as a religion, as opposed to the very real threat of extremist, radical Islamists." (More)
CAIR-MN: SOMALI MINNESOTANS TO RESPOND TO ‘INTIMIDATING’ FBI TACTICS - TOP
‘Voices from Somali Minnesotans: A Community Response’ to be held May 9
(MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 05/06/2009) - On Saturday, May 9, a coalition of Somali civil, religious and political organizations will host an event, called “Voices from Somali Minnesotans: A Community Response,” to address what have been called “intimidating” FBI tactics used against the Somali community and to educate the larger community about this often-misunderstood minority population.
WHEN: Saturday, May 9, 5:30 - 8 p.m.
SPEAKERS: Community Leaders, Imams, Youth Representatives
LOCATION: Room 101, Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 2nd Ave S., Minneapolis, MN
CONTACT: Hindia Ali, Tel: 612.423.0106, E-Mail: voicesfromsomaliminnesotans@gmail.com; CAIR-MN Communications Director Jessica Zikri, 612-226-3289, E-Mail: jzikri@cair.com
Over the past six months, as a national task force investigates missing Somali youth, members of the Somali community have reported being stopped on the streets and in the malls, Somali businesses have been raided, students have been approached by federal agents in campus libraries, community leaders have been denied boarding passes without due process, agents have talked their way into homes without warrants, non-English-speaking Somalis have been interviewed without translators, agents in unmarked cars have staked out in front of Somali mosques, and informants have allegedly been sent inside the mosques.
SEE: Rights Groups Say Somalis Being Stopped, Questioned (MPR)
SEE ALSO: Somali Muslims Call FBI Outreach 'Coercion' (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
Speakers will also address the social and economic contributions by Somalis and highlight the significance of Islam to Somalis and of the mosque as a healing center for the community.
Organizations co-sponsoring the event include:
Somali Organizations: United Somali Movement, Somali Youth Network Council (SYNC), Somali Family and Children Services, Somali Youth Action of Minnesota, Somali Action Alliance, United Somali Diaspora, Somali Leadership Council, Somali American Community, World Peace Organization, African Community Center, Students Against Violence Project, Somali Contact Group, Somali Student Association - University of Minnesota Chapter, Muslim Student Association - Augsburg College Chapter
Religious Institutions: Abubakar As-Saddique Islamic Center (AAIC), Islamic Dawah Institute, Al-Ihsan Islamic Center, Khaled Ibn Waleed Mosque, Karmel Plaza Business Association, Eden Prairie Islamic Center, Daruasalam Cultural Center
Other Organizations: Women Against Military Madness, Antiwar Committee, Council on American-Islamic Relations Minnesota Chapter
CAIR CALLS FOR ‘IMPARTIAL’ PROBE OF AFGHAN CIVILIAN DEATHS - TOP
Dozens of Women and Children reportedly killed in U.S. air strike
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 5/6/2009) - A prominent national Islamic civil rights and advocacy group today called for an “impartial” probe into reports that dozens of women and children were killed in a U.S. air strike in Afghanistan on Tuesday.
That civilian death toll may be the highest since the entry of American forces into Afghanistan in 2001. Afghan President Hamid Karzai is scheduled to discuss the issue of civilian casualties with President Barack Obama today in Washington, D.C.
SEE: U.S. Raids Said to Kill Afghan Civilians (NY Times)
Nihad Awad, Executive Director of the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), said in a statement:
“The scope and impact of this tragic incident necessitate an impartial investigation to determine who is at fault and what changes need to be made to existing policy in the region. Our nation and its armed forces must do everything possible to ensure that such tragedies are never repeated.”
In 2008, an Afghan government commission determined that a U.S. air strike killed 90 civilians. American officials initially said no civilians were killed in the attack, but later concluded 33 civilians died.
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization, has 35 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com
CAIR-IL: ARAB-AMERICAN OFFICER’S BIAS SUIT AGAINST SHERIFF’S DEPT. MOVES FORWARD - TOP
Harassment of officer by Cook County allegedly unchecked for more than two years
(CHICAGO, IL, 5/6/09) - The Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago) announced today that an Arab-American correctional officer’s discrimination case against the Cook County Sheriff’s Department will move to trial. U.S. District Judge Amy J. St. Eve this week denied Cook County’s motion for summary judgment. (The court had also denied Cook County’s motion to dismiss the case in 2008.)
CAIR-Chicago began litigation on behalf of Officer Abraham Yasin in 2007 after he had allegedly been experiencing harassment by other correctional officers starting in December 2004. He said Cook County officers continuously and anonymously targeted him with racist slurs such as “terrorist,” “Hussein,” “sand ni**er,” “bin Laden,” “shoe bomber,” and “camel jockey.” Yasin testified that his co-workers made calls over the radio and telephone about his ancestry and national origin as many as ten times a day, and at least a 100 times for more than a one-year period.
Despite repeatedly reporting the incidents, multiple supervisors and the Internal Affairs Division failed to take adequate corrective action.
“No individual should suffer harassment at work based on race,” said CAIR-Chicago Staff Attorney Kevin Vodak. “It is particularly egregious that the officers entrusted to uphold the law failed to take action to stop the discrimination.”
In the opinion issued this week, Judge St. Eve noted, “Yasin has presented evidence creating an issue of fact for trial that a reasonable person would find the alleged harassment pervasive or severe enough to create a hostile and abusive work environment.”
Cook County is the second most populous county in the United States after Los Angeles County.
CAIR-Chicago, a chapter of America's largest Muslim civil rights group has, 35 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to promote justice, enhance the understanding of Islam, and empower American Muslims.
CONTACT: CAIR-Chicago Communications Coordinator Reem Rahman, E-Mail: communications@cairchicago.org, 312.212.1520 or 217.493.0912; CAIR-Chicago Attorney Kevin Vodak, E-Mail: civilrights@cairchicago.org, 312.212.1520
SEE ALSO:
PA MUSLIM SAYS HOSPITAL FIRED HIM AFTER PILGRIMAGE - TOP
Associated Press, 5/6/09
A nuclear medicine technologist claims he lost his job at a Pittsburgh hospital after he angered a supervisor by taking a Muslim religious pilgrimage. (Full article)
CAIR-LA CONGRATULATES CALIF. MUSLIM APPOINTED TO DHS POST - TOP
(LOS ANGELES, CA., 5/6/09) - The Greater Los Angles Area chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today congratulated Arif Alikhan on his recent appointment as Assistant Secretary for Policy Development in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
SEE: Statement by Secretary Napolitano on Appointment of Arif Alikhan
Prior to joining DHS, Alikhan was a career prosecutor for the U.S. Department of Justice and later served as Deputy Mayor for Homeland Security and Public Safety for the City of Los Angeles.
“Arif Alikhan has been instrumental in advancing my administration's central priorities of preparing Los Angeles to respond to natural disasters and against the threat of terrorism, increasing public safety, and putting 1,000 new LAPD officers on our streets,” said City of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in a statement.
SEE: Homeland Security Deputy Mayor Heading for DC
“Congratulations to Mr. Ali Khan on this well-deserved appointment,” said CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush. “Mr. Alikhan’s new position reflects his and the community’s dedication to helping preserve the security of our country. The American Muslim community can be proud of him.”
In the past few weeks, American Muslim leaders have been urging the Obama administration to be inclusive and to reflect the diversity of our nation as he selects the most qualified public servants to fill important positions.
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization, has 35 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
CONTACT: CAIR-LA Government Relations Manager Sharaf Mowjood, Tel: 714-776-1847, E-Mail: info@losangeles.cair.com
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