(WASHINGTON, DC)–In the midst of a national increase in violence and intimidation toward American Muslims, a coalition of faith groups and advocacy organizations met late yesterday afternoon with U.S. Assistant Attorney General Tom Perez and senior advisors to the Attorney General and Deputy General to ask that specific measures be taken as soon as possible to protect millions of American Muslims and the right to religious freedom of all Americans.

Representatives who met with Perez–including J. Brent Walker of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy of the Interfaith Alliance, Rabbi David Saperstein of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and Farhana Khera of Muslim Advocates–expressed optimism that the administration is taking seriously the growing mood of hostility, by some, towards American Muslims.

Download a press release to read the faith leaders’ comments and recommendations to the Department of Justice for fighting hate crimes against American Muslims.