Anti-Muslim Extremists Have Long History of Spreading Dangerous Conspiracy Theories, Attacking Muslims

Washington, DC — Today, Muslim Advocates issued a response to new reports about the anti-Muslim records on Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican House candidate in Georgia, and Laura Loomer, who won her Republican primary last night in Florida. Yesterday, Media Matters reported that Greene filmed herself visiting the U.S. Capitol trying to get Muslim Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib to re-take their oaths of office on a Bible. In her video, Greene said that both women “support Sharia” and that they “should go back to the Middle East if they support Sharia.” Loomer similarly has a long history of spreading dangerous, anti-Muslim rhetoric. This morning, Right Wing Watch reported that her campaign celebration party was attended by prominent, white nationalist, anti-Muslim bigots including Gavin McInnes and Milo Yiannopoulos. President Trump also recently endorsed both Greene and Loomer. The following is a statement from Madihha Ahussain, Muslim Advocates’ special counsel for anti-Muslim bigotry:

“The false, absurd and reckless smears and conspiracy theories about Muslims repeatedly spread by Marjorie Taylor Greene and Laura Loomer give bigots license to commit violence and hate against American Muslims. 

Greene went to the offices of Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib to harass them about their faith and spread the false, anti-Muslim conspiracy theory that they hate America and wish to impose Sharia law. This reckless behavior places both members of Congress, who regularly receive death threats because of the same kind of bigotry, in danger. Greene has also said that the election of Omar and Tlaib represents an ‘Islamic invasion’—the same rhetoric used by the Christchurch shooter in his manifesto. 

Loomer has made a career out of spreading anti-Muslim hate so it is not surprising that she associates with individuals such as Gavin McInnes—who said that Muslims ‘have a major problem with inbreeding’—and Milo Yiannopoulos—who attacked Muslims, saying that the Constitution is ‘under threat from an alien culture that respects none of those principles.’ Loomer has also said that Rep. Omar is ‘pushing for another 9/11’ and that ‘Muslims should not be allowed to seek positions of political office in this country.’

Reps. Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, André Carson and other Muslims who may serve in Congress in the future should not be subjected to this dangerous bigotry—particularly from people who could work alongside them in the same building. The vile, false, violence-inciting rhetoric against Muslims from Greene and Loomer should be thoroughly condemned by officials in both parties. A failure to disavow this anti-Muslim hate is an endorsement of it.”

Muslim Advocates is a 501(c)(3) charity and does not endorse or oppose candidates for office. Muslim Advocates is tracking and responding to this type of rhetoric because hate violence against Muslims is now at an all-time high and, according to California State University-San Bernardino, this rhetoric is strongly correlated to increases in hate violence.

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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