Action Alert "Ask Your Representative to Counter Anti-Muslim Sentiment"

Ask Your Representative to Counter Anti-Muslim Sentiment

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 3/10/2011) –- CAIR  today called on all people of conscience to contact their elected representatives to ask that they sign a resolution asking the government to take steps to counter anti-Muslim sentiment in America.

In a statement, CAIR said:

"Last year, Oklahoma voters passed a law directly targeting the Islamic faith. In Tennessee, a bill now in the state legislature would effectively make it illegal to be Muslim in that state. A video produced by CAIR-LA recently highlighted the vicious verbal attacks leveled at every day Muslims. Today, we saw the halls of Congress used to legitimize Rep. Peter King’s anti-Muslim positions.

"It is time Congress came out clearly in favor of American pluralism. The politics of fear must be rejected."

The resolution, introduced in the U.S House of Representatives by Reps. John Conyers (D-MI), Keith Ellison (D-MN), Andre Carson (D-IN), and Hansen Clarke (D-MI), praises the contributions of American Muslims to our nation and expresses the sense of the House that the federal government should take steps to counter the growth in anti-Muslim sentiments.
 
Immediate actions requested:
1) Contact your elected representatives, through: http://www.congress.org/

On the right-hand side of the page, enter your ZIP code. On the resulting page, click on the names of your elected representatives. Click the "contact" tab on the resulting page for your officials' phone numbers.

You may also contact the Capitol Hill Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 (have your ZIP code ready).

Call your elected representative to sign the resolution on countering anti-Muslim sentiment in America. Tell them they can contact the office of Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) to do so.

2) Put your cell phone to good use. Call your friends and family members and ensure that they contact their elected officials. Act as a facilitator. You can enter their ZIP code into the congress.orgwebsite and help them get the phones numbers they need to call.

Can You Do These Two Things?

As-salaamu 'alaikum (Peace to you),

“We have too many mosques in this country,” said Rep. Peter King (R-NY) in 2007.

By now you’ve probably heard about the hearings that Congressman King, as chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, has pledged to hold on “the extent of radicalization in the American Muslim community.”

Yesterday he held the first one, and many of your concerns that the hearing would perpetuate stereotypes and fear were borne out. However, we were heartened by the strong support from other members of Congress and witnesses who challenged the biased premise of the hearings.

“There is no redeeming factual information that we’re hearing today. It has already been tainted, this hearing,” declared Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) during the hearing. “It has already been classified as an effort to demonize a whole broad base of human beings.”

Congressman Mike Honda (D-CA) said in an interview: "I'll be damned if I'm going to stay quiet and not say something. We have to show people that as Americans, we're not going to put up with this kind of nonsense."

Representatives Loretta Sanchez (D-CA), Laura Richardson (D-CA), Keith Ellison (D-MN), Andre Carson (D-IN), John Dingell (D-MI), and others also spoke up for the Muslim community and challenged the misinformation and slanted perspective that Rep. King and some of his colleagues put forward.

Today I am asking you to do two things.

The first is to contact those who stood up for the Muslim community yesterday and thank them of their support. [Clickhere for their contact information.]

I’m also asking you to donate to CAIR. You may have noticed that CAIR was singled out for attacks by Rep. King and others at the hearing yesterday. We believe this is because for years CAIR has been very visible in challenging King’s anti-Muslim statements and false allegations about our community.

CAIR is in the front line fighting for you. The ferocious attacks on CAIR are a testament to our effectiveness, and we are proud of our service to the American Muslim community and defense of the Constitution.

(CAIR submitted written testimony for the hearing, which refutes the false information King put forward about American Muslims and about CAIR. You can read our testimony here. Also watch C-SPAN video of our news conference held the day before the hearing.)

We will not allow bigots to achieve their goal of making Islamophobia mainstream. As a community, we will stay united and strong.

Please thank the courageous members of Congress who stood up to Rep. King’s modern day witch hunt against American Muslims, and show your support for CAIR so we can continue to defend Islam and the American Muslim community.
This was only the first in a series of such biased hearings and we need your support to keep up the challenge.

Homeland Security Committee Hearings - Follow Up

As Imam Magid noted in today's khutbah, the Congressional Homeland Security Committee hearings yesterday have generated much comment, and many in the community have asked how they can make their voices heard.

We therefore encourage all ADAMS members, families and friends, to contact your Congressional Members, and those other Members who testified or spoke at the Hearings yesterday in support of otherwise for our Community.

We urge all ADAMS members to send a message to the following Congress Members, by phone or e-mail, using this model (but putting it into your own words).  

Simply Google the name of each to get an online e-mail form, or the telephone number of their office in Washington: 

Congressman Keith Ellison

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee

Congressman John Dingell

Congressman Bennie Thompson

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez

Suggested message:

Dear Congressman (or Congresswoman) XXXX:

As a Muslim-American living in your Northern Virginia, I appreciate your remarks at the Homeland Security Hearings on Thursday, and am grateful for the support you have given to Muslims throughout our great nation.   I applaud you for having the courage to stand up for what is right - and for what drew my family and millions of other citizens to come to America over the past centuries: freedom and democracy.  I was very sorry the other Members of the Committee chose not to recognize that our own District in Virginia includes one of the most progressive and highly cooperative Muslim organizations in America - the All Dulles Areas Muslim Society (ADAMS), which has continually stood up against any radical activities, and has done many outreach events with local police and with the FBI.  This is exactly what Congressman King claims he wants to promote, but failed to mention.    Please know we deeply appreciate your courageous and highly principled stand against those who would use fear to try to win political support from those who know little if anything at all about Islam.  

Message to Congressman Frank Wolf:

Dear Congressman Wolf:

As a Muslim-American living in your District, I appreciate your remarks at the Homeland Security Hearings on Thursday, and am grateful for the support you have given to Muslims in Bosnia, Sudan, etc.  While I disagree with your comments about CAIR, I respect your right to challenge them.  But I remind you that as Sheriff Baca said, CAIR has never been charged with any criminal offense.  Most important, I am sorry you did not mention that your District includes one of the most progressive and highly cooperative Muslim organizations in America - the All Dulles Areas Muslim Society (ADAMS).   Just today, ADAMS has again condemned any such extremism in our Friday prayer services.  ADAMS has continually stood up against any radical activities, and has done many events with local police and with the FBI.  This is exactly what Congressman King claims he wants to promote, and I am sorry that you did not mention this in your testimony.    I am also sorry you forgot to mention that the various terror related incidents in Virginia incidents like the Ashburn Metro bomber or the 5 youths who went to Pakistan, were all reported to the FBI by fellow Muslims.   This was a major oversight and I hope you will be able to issue a press statement pointing out the Muslim Community cooperation that your District has shown so many times in the past.

Message to Congressman Peter King

Dear Congressman King:

As a Muslim-American living in Virginia, I understand your concern for investigating any threats to our country via the Homeland Security Hearings on Thursday, and am grateful for the support you had given to Muslims in your own District in the past.  I disagree with your comments but I respect your right to challenge CAIR, though I remind you that as Sheriff Baca said, CAIR has never been charged with any criminal offense.  Most important, I am sorry you had overlooked that Congressman Wolf's District in Virginia includes one of the most progressive and highly cooperative Muslim organizations in America - the All Dulles Areas Muslim Society (ADAMS), which has loudly opposed any radical activities, and has done many events with local police and even the FBI.  This is exactly what your Committee claims to want to promote, and I am puzzled you did not mention this in the Hearing, or invite anyone from ADAMS to participate as a witness.    I am also sorry you forgot that the various terror related incidents in Virginia (like the Ashburn Metro bomber or the 5 youths who went to Pakistan) were all reported to the FBI by fellow Muslims.   This was a major oversight and I hope you will be able to issue a press statement pointing out the Muslim Community cooperation that has been shown so many times in the past.

Please remember to be polite and courteous in any dealings with Congress, and to show the proper respect even if we disagree with the positions a Member may have taken.

Please do not allow our Community to be marginalized by apathy!   We must make ourselves heard - and can only do that it every member of our community is willing to take time to voice our opinions! 

If these Congress Members receive 1000 messages, they WILL listen - and they WILL take us seriously.

Rep. King Asked to Clarify Support from Anti-Islam Hate Group

CAIR: Rep. King Asked to Clarify Support from Anti-Islam Hate Group

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 3/8/11) -- A prominent national Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization today called on Rep. Peter King (R-NY) to clarify the extent of support and advice he has received from a notorious anti-Islam hate group.
The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) issued that call after Brigitte Gabriel, national leader of the hate group ACT! for America, told a reporter with Think Progress that "we are working with Congressman Peter King."
SEE: Radical Islamophobe Advising Rep. King
"Over the past year, we have seen a very disturbing rise in the level of anti-Muslim sentiment nationwide, which we believe is fueled to a large degree by hate groups such as ACT! for America," said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. "Given the fact that he is about to begin hearings on alleged Muslim 'radicalization,' Representative King should clarify the level of advice and support he has received from ACT! for America, Brigitte Gabriel or other Islamophobes."
Hooper noted that King was forced to drop two professional Islamophobes, Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Walid Phares, from his witness list after their extremist views and past associations were revealed. (Ali once suggested that the U.S. Constitution should be amended to allow for discrimination against Muslims. Phares is a former official with a Christian militia implicated in the 1982 massacre at the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps in Lebanon.)
SEE: King: Phares Not Testifying
According to an expose of Gabriel and her group published today in the New York Times:

"Through her books, media appearances and speeches, and her organization, ACT! for America, Ms. Gabriel has become one of the most visible personalities on a circuit of self-appointed terrorism detectors who warn that Muslims pose an enormous danger within United States borders ... [Rep. Peter] King was the first guest last month on a new cable television show that Ms. Gabriel co-hosts."

The New York Times also stated: "[Gabriel] presents a portrait of Islam so thoroughly bent on destruction and domination that it is unrecognizable to those who study or practice the religion."
SEE: Brigitte Gabriel Draws Crowds in U.S. With Anti-Islam Message (NY Times)
Another expose of Gabriel's hate group published today on Politico.com quoted an Arab-American activist who said: "The idea that congressional staffers would agree to meet an organization led by a woman whose agenda is pure unadulterated hatred and whose purported life story is a laughable fiction -- it's sad."
SEE: Anti-Islamic Groups Go Mainstream (Politico)
[MEDIA NOTE: On Wednesday, March 9, a coalition of Muslim, interfaith and civil rights groups will hold a 10:30 a.m. news conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., to challenge misinformation that may be repeated in the first of a series of hearings on Muslim "radicalization" to be held Thursday by Rep. Peter King (R-NY). CAIR will also provide real-time Twitter commentary on Thursday's hearing at @CAIRNational. Tune in to the conversation at #KingHearings. The hearing will begin at 9:30 a.m. (Eastern) on March 10. CONTACT: CAIR National Legislative Director Corey Saylor, 202-384-8857, E-Mail: csaylor@cair.com]
CAIR: Japanese Americans Decry Rep. King's Muslim Hearings as 'Sinister'
Rep. Peter King's Hearings on Islamic Radicalization: Fuel for the Bigots
NY Times Editorial: Flailing After Muslims
Family members of slain Muslim soldiers should testify at Rep. Pete King's hearings
In the past, Gabriel has claimed an American Muslim "cannot be a loyal citizen" and that Islam is the "real enemy." She once told the Australian Jewish News: "Every practicing Muslim is a radical Muslim." She also claimed that "Islamo-fascism is a politically-correct word ... it's the vehicle for Islam ... Islam is the problem."
When asked whether Americans should "resist Muslims who want to seek political office in this nation," Gabriel said: "Absolutely. If a Muslim who has -- who is -- a practicing Muslim who believes the word of the Koran to be the word of Allah, who abides by Islam, who goes to mosque and prays every Friday, who prays five times a day -- this practicing Muslim, who believes in the teachings of the Koran, cannot be a loyal citizen to the United States of America."
Gabriel stated: "America and the West are doomed to failure in this war unless they stand up and identify the real enemy: Islam."
SEE: Islam's March Against the West
Along with her stated desire to have Muslims barred from public office, Gabriel has also claimed that Arabs "have no soul" and that Muslims worship "something they call 'Allah,' which is very different from the God we believe [in]."
SEE: A Case Study in Sincere Hypocrisy: Brigitte Gabriel
Video: Brigitte Gabriel Says Arabs Have No Souls
Last year, a person staffing an ACT! for America information table in Florida was caught on videobragging that he desecrated the Quran, Islam's revealed text, and urinates in the washing stations Muslims use to perform their ritual ablutions (wudu) for prayer.
That person states: "Their foot baths, I love pissing in them ... The Quran makes worthless toilet paper. It just kind of scratches my a** a little bit ... To me, I like desecrating their [Muslims'] holy stuff."
CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. 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.

- END -

CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, or 202-488-8787, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com

NAT’L SECURITY ADVISER STRESSES MUSLIMS AS PART OF ‘AMERICAN FAMILY’ DURING SPEECH AT ADAMS CENTER

(Washington, DC - 3/8/11) -- The Muslim Public Affairs Council and the Islamic Society of North America today welcomed a speech by Denis McDonough, President Barack Obama’s Deputy National Security Adviser, on Sunday, March 6, at the All Dulles Area Muslim Society Center (ADAMS).

 

Ahead of Rep. Peter King’s (R-NY) controversial hearing on “radicalization within the Muslim American community,” McDonough’s recognition of Muslim Americans as part of the “American family” and focus on the importance of community partnerships are an important message for all Americans.

 

The speech, a first-of-its-kind by the Obama administration in a mosque, outlined the important roles all Americans of faith are playing in contributing to a vibrant pluralistic society and in keeping our nation safe. McDonough also outlined the positive contributions of the Muslim American community in all walks of life and stressed that the Muslim American community is seen by the administration and Americans as part of the “American family,” as stated by the president in his most recent State of the Union address.

 

“This is a place where Americans come together — not only to practice their faith, but to build stronger communities, with people of many faiths …

 

You create jobs and opportunity as small business owners and executives of major corporations. You enrich our culture as athletes and entertainers. You lead us as elected officials and members of Congress. And no one should ever forget that Muslim Americans help keep America safe every day as proud soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen. Indeed, some of these heroes have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation and now rest in our hallowed national cemeteries.”

 

As Imam Mohamed Magid, President of ISNA and Executive Director of the ADAMS Center, said during his opening remarks, “It is this belief, of being one family that makes our public servants serve every member of society and not single out any member of any community for discrimination or isolation. My friends, it is this belief of being one family that makes America a great country, full of diversity and respectful of minorities.”

 

As the president’s top adviser on national security, McDonough also broadened the discussion and stressed that the relationship between communities and the government transcends the prism of national security. He stressed that all communities, regardless of faith, share a civic responsibility to ensure that our country remains safe and secure.

 

“We must resolve that, in our determination to protect our nation; we will not stigmatize or demonize entire communities because of the actions of a few. In the United States of America, we don’t practice guilt by association. And let’s remember that just as violence and extremism are not unique to any one faith, the responsibility to oppose ignorance and violence rests with us all …

 

But we’ve also recognized that this engagement can’t simply be about terrorism. We refuse to ‘securitize’ the relationship between the government and millions of law-abiding, patriotic Muslim Americans and other citizens. We refuse to limit our engagement to what we’re against, because we need to forge partnerships that advance what we’re for — which is opportunity and equal treatment for all.”

 

McDonough also highlighted some of the administration’s strategy to continue outreach to the Muslim American community and include members of all faiths in the strategy to counter terrorism. In the coming weeks, the administration will unveil the entirety of its new national strategy to address the issue of violent extremism. McDonough stressed that this strategy will be broad in nature and not single out any group of people based on religion or race. He highlighted how Muslim American institutions, both locally and nationally, have been key in ensuring that communities are places where faith and civic life flourish and where extremism is unacceptable.    

 

While some elected officials exclude Muslims from dialogue and stereotype an entire religion based on the misguided actions of a few, McDonough’s speech at the ADAMS Center underscores  the importance for all Americans, regardless of their faith, to be able to critique or disagree with both domestic and foreign policy.

 

“We must resolve not to label someone as an extremist simply because of their opposition to the policies of the U.S. government or their strong religious beliefs. Under our Constitution, we have the freedom to speak our minds. And we have the right to practice our faiths freely knowing that the government should neither promote nor hinder any one religion over the other.”  

 

McDonough also acknowledged the involvement of the ADAMS Center and Imam Magid with fostering strong relationships with interfaith leaders and law enforcement.

 

The Muslim American community is a diverse, contributing, vibrant part of the American community. It is our belief that a partnership of trust is the most crucial component in a relationship between our government and its citizens. The Deputy National Security Adviser’s speech confirmed that this is the approach of our government as it seeks to keep our country and communities safe and secure.

 

Founded in 1988, MPAC is an American institution which informs and shapes public opinion and policy by serving as a trusted resource to decision makers in government, media and policy institutions. MPAC is also committed to developing leaders with the purpose of enhancing the political and civic participation of Muslim Americans.

 

[CONTACT: Marium Mohiuddin, 323-258-6722,  marium@mpac.org]

Urge your congressperson now to join 26 other congresspersons reg Peter King hearings

Assalamu Alaikum

Greetings!

26 Congressmen and Congresswomen standing up against Peter King hearings

Congressman Stark's office just emailed saying that they currently have 26 co-signers to the 'Dear Colleague' letter on the Peter King hearings.

The 26 current Cosigners include the following:  

Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA), Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), Rep. Donna Edwards (D-MD), Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-OH, Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), Rep. Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ), Re. Mike Honda (D-CA), Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL), Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX), Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN), Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA), Rep. Greg Meeks (D-NY), Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA), Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO), Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL), Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA), Rep. Jose Serrano (D-NY), and Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA).   

Please call your congressperson asking them to co-sign this "Dear Colleague" letter below and tell them to emailMichele.Scarbrough@mail.house.gov or Erica Fein in Rep. Dingell's office by email at Erica.Fein@mail.house.gov by COB tomorrow (3/8) to get their name on the 'Dear Colleague' Letter.

Call your member of Congress today and urge her/him to sign onto a letter sponsored by Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) and Rep. John Dingell (D-MI) that calls on Rep. Peter King (R-NY) to reconsider the scope of the upcoming radicalization.

TALKING POINTS

Here are a few suggested talking points you can use to help focus your message:

I support the letter sponsored by Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) and Rep. John Dingell (DMI) and ask that they sign it today.

• The letter calls on Rep. Peter King (R-NY), Chair of the Homeland Security Committee, to revise the scope of his scheduled hearings on Muslim Americans.
• The current plan by King stereotypes and alienates Muslim Americans instead of engaging them as an important resource in the war on terror. This is especially important given that Muslim Americans have helped unfoil 7 out of the last 11 alleged plots propagated by Al-Qaeda in the United States.
• Muslim Americans make vital contributions every day. They teach our children, work in hospitals, and protect the public safety as police officers and firefighters. They love this country just as every American does and should not be placed under suspicion of terrorism because of their religious beliefs or ethnic background.
• Unfortunately, Rep. King's hearings would do just that.

THE NUMBER OF YOUR CONGRESSPERSON

Find out about your congressperson's number here: http://house.govthen go to that page before calling him/her go to their website and forward them the following letter:

Dear Colleague:

This week, Chairman Peter King and the Homeland Security Committee will begin a series of troubling hearings that single out Muslim Americans as the source of "homegrown terrorism" and focus exclusively on the radicalization of Muslim Americans.  Rather than examining all forms of violence motivated by extremist beliefs, these hearings unfairly stigmatize and alienate one religious group.

We represent diverse communities where Muslim Americans make vital contributions every day.  They teach our children, work in hospitals, and protect the public safety as police officers and firefighters.  They love this country just as we do and should not be placed under suspicion of terrorism because of their religious beliefs or ethnic background. Unfortunately, Chairman King's hearings would do just that.

We urge you to join us in sending the attached letter to Chairman King asking that he reconsider holding these profoundly unfair hearings.

To sign the letter, please contact Michele Scarbrough in Rep. Stark's office by email at Michele.Scarbrough@mail.house.gov or by phone at 5-5065, or Erica Fein in Rep. Dingell's office by email at Erica.Fein@mail.house.gov or by phone at 5-4071.

  

Sincerely,

  

Pete Stark                                         John Dingell
Member of Congress                        Member of Congress    

MPAC CONDEMNS ASSASSINATIONOF CHRISTIAN MINISTER IN PAKISTAN& WILL ADDRESS RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN GENEVA

MPAC CONDEMNS ASSASSINATION

OF CHRISTIAN MINISTER IN PAKISTAN

& WILL ADDRESS RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN GENEVA

 
 

(Washington, DC – 3/3/11) – The Muslim Public Affairs Council condemns the assassination of Pakistan's Federal Minister of Minority Affairs, Shahbaz Bhatti, the country's only Christian cabinet minister. Religious and ethnic strife in Pakistan is at dangerous levels and must be addressed by religious, civic and government authorities.

 
 

SEE: "Critic of Pakistan Blasphemy Law Shot and Killed" (CNN)

 
 

"We pray for the Bhatti and his family and encourage leaders in Pakistan to work towards addressing the root causes that has led to unprecedented amounts of political and religious violence" said Salam Al- Marayati, MPAC President.

 
 

This is the second high profile assassination within two months in Pakistan, both of individuals who publicly criticized the country's blasphemy laws. In January, Gov. Salman Taseer of Pakistan's Punjab province was assassinated after publicly challenging the merits of the law that purports to protect Islam from slander but is seen by many as a means to persecute minorities.

 
 

SEE: "Governor of Pakistan's Punjab Province Assassinated" (CNN)

 
 

Pakistan's Blasphemy Law was brought to the forefront in November 2010 when a Christian woman from the Punjab province was sentenced to death for defiling Prophet Mohammed's name during an argument with a co-worker.

 
 

The Blasphemy Law was introduced in the 1970s and amended in 1986 to include the death penalty for those accused of speaking against the Prophet.

 
 

Next week, Al-Marayati is going to Geneva to meet with UN Ambassadors and international human rights organizations to address the issue of religious freedom and free speech.

 
 

Freedom of expression and faith are Islamic principles that are respected in Islamic texts and theology. It is of utmost importance that these ideals are respected and developed within Muslim communities worldwide.

 
 

Founded in 1988, MPAC is an American institution which informs and shapes public opinion and policy by serving as a trusted resource to decision makers in government, media and policy institutions. MPAC is also committed to developing leaders with the purpose of enhancing the political and civic participation of Muslim Americans.

 
 

[CONTACT: Marium Mohiuddin, 323-258-6722,  marium@mpac.org]

Patriot Act Alert! Update

As you may recall, there had been concern raised in the past days over the votes in Congress to extend certain provisions of the Patriot Act.  As a result, members of the Northern Virginia Civic Coalition arranged to meet Virginia Congressman Gerry Connolly's Staff to discuss these concerns, and better understand the Congressman's position on this vote.

 

We are very pleased to say that the meeting, with Chief of Staff James Walkinshaw last week, provided us the chance to clarify the exact circumstances and situation regarding this vote.  

 

Congressman Connolly's Chief emphasized this was only a temporary extension of certain key provisions of the Patriot Act, and not the entire Act itself, which expires in December 2011 and will be voted on in its entirety at that time.   He also stressed that Mr. Connolly's vote on this extension was not intended and should not be considered as any diminution of his appreciation of and support for the concerns of the Muslim community in Virginia.

 

As can be seen in the attached statement from the Congressman's office, the various provisions extended by this vote are intended for the safety and benefit of all Americans, and there are legal safeguards intended to protect the rights of individuals from any undue actions.

 

We are satisfied that Congressman Connolly understands the critical importance of such legislation to our community, and our desire to maintain a comprehensive dialogue with him to input on issues of such key import to the community.    His office agreed to help develop channels of communication so all community members can see and appreciate the steps he is taking to prevent any actions that could be detrimental to the rights and security of our community in Virginia and across the USA.

 

We deeply appreciate the Congressman's efforts, and remain committed to  working with him and his office on every issue of importance to us all.

Attached you will find a copy of the statement from Congressman Gerry Connolly's office regarding the extension of the Patriot Act. 

If you believe that, you may have been profiled due to the Patriot Act, please send me an e-mail hence, I can pass on the information to Congressman Connolly's office.

Statement of Rep. Gerry Connolly on Temporary Extension of Patriot Act Provisions

 
Congressman

Gerry Connolly

11^th District, Virginia | 424 Cannon HOB, Washington, D.C. 20515 | (202) 225-1492


 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                            CONTACT

February 15, 2011                                              George Burke – 202-225-1492/ 202-503-7756

                                                                          George.burke@mail.house.gov


 

Statement of Rep. Gerry Connolly on Temporary Extension of Patriot Act Provisions

 
Congressman Gerry Connolly issued the following statement on House passage of the temporary extension of three provisions of the Patriot Act:


 
"Northern Virginia is a diverse community comprised of residents from many nations.  That diversity is a tremendous source of cultural and economic strength that we must always welcome and seek to foster.  It is also a community directly affected by the terrorist attacks of 9/11 that remains a high-priority target for terrorists today. 


 
"Our ongoing challenge is to strike the right balance between national security and the preservation of civil liberties
for all Americans.  As Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 2005, I sent a letter to then-Senator John Warner and the entire Virginia congressional delegation
expressing concerns about some provisions of the Patriot Act and their potential to impinge on civil liberties.  I continue to have those concerns, particularly with respect to the provision allowing federal authorities to access library records and other personal information. 


 
"At President Obama's request, I supported H.R. 514 this week to provide a temporary extension of three Patriot Act provisions through December 8, 2011.  This temporary extension will give Congress the opportunity to review the provisions before granting a long-term extension while not interrupting ongoing investigations.   


 
"As President Obama has noted, failing to extend these provisions at this time would have serious and immediate national security implications
that could threaten the lives of Americans here in the United States, and in Northern Virginia particularly."


 
Facts


 

• H.R. 514 provides a short-term extension through December 8, 2011 of just three Patriot Act provisions.  It is not an extension of the entire Patriot Act, and did not grant the two-year extension of these provisions through 2013 requested by President Obama.
  

 

• The three extended provisions are: roving wiretap authority that provides law enforcement with the ability to track suspected terrorists who frequently
  change cell phones or communication devices;
  the so-called "lone wolf" authority that provides the ability to track suspected terrorists who have no connection or affiliation with a foreign country or identified terrorist group; and the "any tangible thing" provision that allows law enforcement to request documents connected to a terrorism investigation.
  

 

• All three provisions require court approval under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act
  before they can be used.
  

 

• These provisions have been extended by Congress in 2006, 2009, and 2010, each time with overwhelming bi-partisan support.
  

 

• In an effort to ensure greater scrutiny of the "any tangible thing" provision, Congressman Connolly voted against the Rule providing for consideration of the extension (Roll Call No. 29).  The Rule passed 248-176.
  

 

• Congressman Connolly also voted in favor of a Democratic motion to ensure that all Patriot Act investigations be conducted in a manner that complies with the Constitution.  Unfortunately that motion failed because of Republican opposition.
  
  
   
• A 3 month extension of these provisions recently passed the Senate by a vote of 86-12 with both Virginia Senators voting yes.
  

 

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