Congressman Peter King Must Cease Divisive and Discriminatory Targeting of Muslim Community In America

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Keith Rushing, Communications Manager
krushing@rightsworkinggroup.org
(p) 202.591.3305, (c) 202.557.4291

Washington, D.C. – (June 16) Rights Working Group condemns the incendiary decision by Rep. Peter King (R-NY), Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, to hold the second in a series of Congressional hearings Wednesday targeting the Muslim American community.  Today’s hearing focused on the alleged “threat of Muslim-American radicalization in U.S. prisons.”

Once again, King, acting out of flawed logic and fueling the fires of racism and  xenophobia in America, singled out Muslims for special scrutiny ignoring real dangers posed by violent extremists in the U.S.

Although King was roundly condemned for his first hearing on the purported “radicalization of Muslims in America” last March, he has ignored that criticism and again decided to single out Muslims. “This hearing is really about political theater, pandering to stereotypes, instilling fear, and King’s inability to move beyond prejudice,” said Rights Working Group Executive Director Margaret Huang.

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, criticized today’s hearing as being far too narrow in its focus.

Rep. Laura Richardson (D-California) called the hearing “racist or discriminatory” for singling out one group instead of focusing also on white supremacists, Asian gangs, or Hispanic gangs.

King’s fear mongering places Muslims, who have faced increased hate crimes since 9/11, in greater jeopardy.  King should cease using his position as chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee to target the Muslim community in America.