August 5, 2019
Issue: Fighting Bigotry
Muslim Advocates to Trump, Law Enforcement and Tech: Stop White Nationalist Violence
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Muslim Advocates Executive Director Farhana Khera issued the following statement in response to the latest violent act of white nationalism targeting Latinos in El Paso. Farhana Khera is available for interviews. If you would like to speak to her, email [email protected] or call (202) 670-9560:
“The horror in El Paso is a painful reminder that white nationalist violence is the deadliest and most urgent threat to our safety that we face today. Yet, President Trump, law enforcement and social media companies have been complicit in encouraging this threat or allowing it to thrive.
- It is not a coincidence that the El Paso shooter and Trump’s speeches, tweets and campaign ads both described immigrants as invaders. The Trump campaign is built on the same hateful rhetoric that was used by the shooters in El Paso, Gilroy, Poway and Christchurch. Before any more blood is shed, President Trump and his campaign must stop all dehumanizing, racist rhetoric and ads. This includes describing immigrants as an ‘invasion,’ African Americans as living in ‘a disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess’ and saying that American Muslims like Congresswomen Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib support terrorists and hate America.
- We also call on the Justice Department, the FBI and other law enforcement agencies to dedicate appropriate resources and attention to the white nationalist threat. These agencies already have the tools they need to prevent acts of violence from white nationalists, but they lack the will to use them. If this was ISIS or Al Qaeda, the FBI would have shut down their internet platforms and arrested those who incite violence or are preparing to engage in violence long ago. Instead, these law enforcement agencies are shamefully sitting on their hands.
- Tech companies like Facebook, Twitter, Google and Amazon must halt the spread of white nationalist rhetoric. White nationalists are organizing and amplifying their message on platforms controlled by these companies. This must stop.
It is a national disgrace that we have tolerated and excused white nationalist violence for so long. Today marks seven years since the deadly shooting at a Sikh gurdwara in Oak Creek Wisconsin and two years since the bombing at a mosque in Bloomington, Minnesota. Our communities continue to be put at risk of violence from white nationalists and there is no time left for scapegoating and excuses. We cannot let the president blame video games, mental illness or the news media for these acts. We know the cause and we know the solution. We need action now.”
Muslim Advocates is a national civil rights organization working in the courts, in the halls of power and in communities to halt bigotry in its tracks. We ensure that American Muslims have a seat at the table with expert representation so that all Americans may live free from hate and discrimination.
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