Hi Everyone,
In order to have more time over the weekend, in case folks want to continue circulating the statement around, l am extending our timeline of 4/15 to Sunday 4/17. If we get everyone’s confirmation of sigantures in by then, I can send out the press release on Monday, 4/18. Please have folks email their confirmation for their signature to me by midnight on Sunday, April 17th.
Hope this helps,
Sunny
4/15/2011
CONTACT: SUNNY ZIA –949-933-0343;SUNNY.ZIA1@GMAIL.COM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
concerned CITIZENS, civic and interfaith organizations condemn recent hate speech AND ANTI-MUSLIM CHAUVINISM in orange county
In light of the ongoing discrimination, hostility, vandalism, and violence toward fellow Americans of the Muslim faith and the rise in anti-Muslim sentiment through recent marked incidents of hate speech, opposition to the lawful construction and expansion of Islamic cultural centers and mosques across the United States, and allegations against Muslims and Arabs during past local and national political campaigns – we, the concerned members of the community, civic and humanitarian organizations, condemn these actions.
We stand unequivocally for the right of free speech and for the free exercise of religion as guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, as well as the equal protection of all citizens guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment.
We strongly condemn any and all acts of discrimination, hostility, vandalism, and violence directed at Muslims in America and their institutions, as well as those of any other race, religion or nationality.
Furthermore, we strongly condemn the venomous words and threats spoken on Feb. 13, 2011 by Villa Park Councilwoman Deborah Pauly, and others at a rally protesting an Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) relief event in Yorba Linda, Orange County. Councilwoman Pauly characterized the event and those who attended (some with small children) as “sheer, unadulterated evil.” She further threatened the attendees by stating that her U.S. Marine Corps son and other Marines would be willing to “help those terrorists to an early meeting in Paradise.”
The foundation of our democracy lies in the people’s freedom of speech, and Ms. Pauly’s reprehensible remarks are certainly included in those rights. As an elected official, Councilwoman Deborah Pauly acted under the cover of law to threaten and intimidate citizens who have constitutional rights, privileges and immunities of assembly and religion. Her actions constitute a misuse of authority. We call upon Councilwoman Pauly and others who demonstrated similar conduct to apologize and retract their threats.
We condemn these statements and actions not only because of their hateful nature, but because they compromise the values of our nation set forth in the pledge to our republic for “. . . Liberty and Justice For All”. We commend former general and Secretary of State Colin Powell and echo his stance:
“Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer’s no, that’s not America.”
As the people of America, we embrace the diversity of everyone who makes this country the great nation it is, and we refuse to be divided by the fear propagated by those who benefit from alienating our fellow Americans simply because of their differences.
We call upon the rest of our community to stand with us and to exercise those values of freedom of religion, freedom of speech and acceptance of diversity.
|
Adelia Sandoval—Orange County Interfaith Coalition for the Environment |
| Al Rajput—Member of American Civil Liberties Union |
| Al White—Member of Amnesty International
Amin David—President of Los Amigos of Orange County |
| Chuck Anderson—Member of American Civil Liberties Union |
| Clarita Karlin— Concerned Citizen of Orange County |
| Craig Preston—Member of Move On |
| David Sonneborn—Member of Reclaim Democracy |
| Dean Inada—Member of Orange County Peace Coalition
Dr. Bill Honigman—Member of Progressive Democrats of Orange County
Dr. Mehnaz M. Afridi—Jewish-Muslim Relations, Woman activist, and Professor of Judaism and Islam, Los Angeles |
| Edward Garza—Member of Military Families Speak Out |
| Elizabeth M. Martin—President of Concerned Citizens of Laguna Woods Village |
| Felicity Figueroa—Member of Orange County Equality Coalition and Women for Orange County
Florice Hoffman —Vice Chair of Central Democratic Party of Orange County
Gianna Bartholomew—Be the Cause Volunteer |
| Hussam Ayloush—Executive Director of Council on American-Islamic Relations, Greater Los Angeles Area |
| Jacques Kilchaer—Member of Amnesty International |
| Jan Larosa—Member of Military Families Speak Out |
| Janice Burnstin—Concerned Citizens of Laguna Woods Village |
| Jeff Merrick—Veterans for Peace |
| Jennifer Massey—Concerned Citizen of Orange County
John Makhlouf—Concerned Citizen of Orange County |
| Karen Stone—Member of Citizens for Global Solutions |
| Kim Walker—Member of Orange County National Organization for Women (OC NOW) |
| Lee Jacobi—Member of Cousin’s Club |
| Linda Long—Member of Orange County National Organization for Women (OC NOW) |
| Lori Vandermier—Member of Orange County National Organization for Women (OC NOW) |
| Marjorie Niland—Member of Military Families Speak Out |
| Mark Giordano—Member of Move On
Masha Macurda—Concerned Citizen of Orange County
Melahat Rafiei—Principal, Progressive Solutions Consulting |
| Michael Fox—Concerned Citizen of Orange County
Nadia Hassan—Member of Villa Park Peace Coalition |
| Pat Alviso—Member of Military Families Speak Out
Rabbi Arnold Rachlis—University Synagogue, Irvine |
| Rene Greves—Member of Women For Orange County |
| Roberta S. Reed—Member of American Civil Liberties Union |
| Ron Varasteh—Member of Move On
Rev. Sarah Halverson—Senior Pastor Fairview Community Church
Sandi Aduna—Member Los Amigos of Orange County
Sande Hart— Founder of Spiritual And Religious Alliance for Hope |
| Stephanie Campbell—Member of Americans United for Separation of Church and State |
| Sunny Zia—Member of Jewish War Veterans, United States Navy League Council, and Humanity Unites |
“Organizational affiliations are listed for identification purposes only”
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