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Radio Interview with Joseph Cirincione (Mp3) | April 10, 2008)

Deborah Bain — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:13:33 -0400

Rachel Maddow Interviews Joseph Cirincione on Air America (Apr 10, 2008)

(Use Quicktime for best results. Free download here.)

Ploughshares Fund

SAALT Joins Advocates at Meeting with Attorney General to Raise Concerns about Anti-Muslim Backlash

Mou Khan — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 10:50:24 -0400

(Washington DC) - SAALT's Executive Director, Deepa Iyer, joined a diverse group of community and faith leaders at a meeting on September 7th with Attorney General Eric Holder to address the recent rise in anti-Muslim rhetoric and incidents around the United States.

Community leaders asked the Department of Justice to take action in a variety of ways including: a public statement from the Attorney General asserting the federal government's commitment to religious freedom and condemning violence and harassment; vigorous prosecution of hate crimes and bias incidents; and a coordinated federal inter-agency mechanism.

"During the meeting, Attorney General Holder reaffirmed the federal government's role in addressing the current backlash," noted Iyer. "He remarked that this is a defining moment for our country and urged Americans to vocally oppose the intolerant rhetoric and actions occurring around the nation."

South Asians have been affected by the spate of hate-motivated violence across the country, including a Bangladeshi cab driver who was attacked in New York City after being asked if he was Muslim, a Sikh convenience store clerk who was punched in the head after being called a terrorist, and the planned Quran burning this Saturday in Florida.

"As we approach the nine-year anniversary of September 11, the current environment in our country should be a reminder that all of us - public officials, government agencies and members of the community - must continue to be vigilant in upholding the rights of all Americans."

For further information, please refer to SAALT's statement denouncing the use of inflammatory racist, xenophobic and anti-Muslim language by public officials or media outlets including actions for community members to take to make their voices heard.

www.saalt.org

SAALT Press Room

Join SAALT in Denouncing the Rise in Islamophobic Rhetoric

Mou Khan — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 10:39:25 -0400

South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), a national nonprofit organization dedicated to elevating the voices and perspectives of South Asian individuals and organizations, joins allies in Muslim and Arab communities as well as civil rights and faith-based organizations to raise serious concerns with the rhetoric and stances opposing the Park51 Community Center and Muslim places of worship around the country. The rise in racist, anti-Muslim and xenophobic statements is reprehensible and has no place in the national discourse. Park51 has been called everything from “inappropriate and insensitive” to a “Martyr-Marker honoring terrorists.” Muslims, like all Americans, enjoy the constitutionally protected right to freely worship in their communities. To call that right into question fundamentally undercuts the First Amendment.

Throughout our country's history, racial, ethnic and religious minorities have faced numerous barriers to full participation in American civic life. Examples including discriminatory Jim Crow laws, anti-Catholic riots targeting Irish-Americans and the shameful internment of Japanese Americans during World War II show that succumbing to racial and xenophobic stereotypes has harmed a broad cross-section of the American population.

The combined effect of anti-Muslim rhetoric used and reproduced by politicians and media outlets has already manifested. The list of attacks targeting Muslim Americans is growing at an alarming rate. August 25th saw the desecration of the Iman Mosque in Queens by a man shouting slurs including "terrorist" and urinating on prayer rugs during evening prayers.* On August 24th, Ahmed Sharif, a Bangladeshi-American cab driver who has lived in the United States for 25 years, was brutally and repeatedly stabbed by a passenger who asked if he was Muslim. On August 20th, individuals threw a brick into a California mosque with a note saying, "No temple for the God of terrorism at Ground Zero." Violent hate crimes such as these show that the exploitative use of racist and xenophobic rhetoric quickly leads to tragedy. We must stand true to the values of the First Amendment and affirm Park51's claim to build in lower Manhattan, as well as for Muslim places of worship in Tennessee, California, Wisconsin and around the country. The time has come to take a stand against Islamophobia and defend the values that truly define this country.

Elected officials and candidates for public office, in particular, have significant influence in shaping political discourse. When they use language scapegoating members of certain groups, their actions can have far-reaching implications regarding how that community is viewed by the public and treated by the government. We urge politicians and candidates to affirm the core American values of inclusion, equality, and freedom and thank those that have stepped up to defend these institutions. As for those in opposition to Park51 or Muslim places of worship, we urge them to apologize for and retract statements diminishing the rights of Muslims.

TAKE ACTION: Contact your legislators to demand accountability for anti-Muslim rhetoric

Media outlets also play a crucial role in maintaining a civil and free public discourse by providing accurate, responsible coverage of current events. Media personalities and networks have a duty to present the different viewpoints in the debate around Park51 or places of worship in a manner that does not target Muslims or uncritically reproduce inflammatory speech. Simply repeating or echoing the troubling statements made by opponents in reference to Park51 or Muslim places of worship fuels xenophobic sentiment and hampers our nation's ability to have a meaningful dialogue about issues of race, religion and freedom.

TAKE ACTION: Contact the major news networks to demand responsible and accurate coverage

*Details that emerged after this statement was issued now indicate that this incident was not a hate crime.

This statement is supported by:
Adhikaar for Human Rights- www.adhikaar.org
Asian Broadcasting Network- www.abnchicago.org
Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO- www.apalanet.org
Chhaya CDC- www.chhayacdc.org
Counselors Helping (South) Asians/Indians (CHAI)- www.chaicounselors.org
Daya- www.dayahouston.org
Defending Dissent- www.defendingdissent.org
Florida Coastal School of Law Immigrant Rights Clinic
Human Values for Transformative Action- http://hvta.squarespace.com
Japanese American Citizens League- www.jacl.org
Manavi- www.manavi.org
Muslim Public Affairs Council- www.mpac.org
North American South Asian Bar Association- www.nasaba.com
National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum- www.napawf.org
Narika- www.narika.org
OCA- www.ocanational.org
Open DC- www.openwashingtondc.org
Raksha- www.raksha.org
South Asian Progressive Action Coalition- www.sapac.org
Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund- www.saldef.org
Sikh Coalition- www.sikhcoalition.org
Urban Justice Center- www.urbanjustice.org

SAALT Press Room

National South Asian Organization Applauds Court Decision on Arizona Anti-Immigrant Law and Expresses Concern Regarding Similar

Mou Khan — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 10:31:10 -0400

Washington, DC - South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), a national organization whose mission is to elevate the voices and perspectives of South Asian individuals and organizations to build a more just and inclusive society in the United States, applauds the recent federal court decision blocking key provisions of Arizona's anti-immigrant law, SB1070. Measures that would have allowed state authorities to question individuals suspected of being undocumented and criminalized those who did not proof of immigration status have been temporarily halted.

"SAALT commends the recent decision to block the most egregious aspects of the Arizona law, which would have clearly led to law enforcement's profiling of those who appear foreign. As South Asian community members have experienced since September 11th, profiling undermines trust between communities and police and diminishes public safety. We call upon state and local policymakers not to resort to anti-immigrant proposals that violate the basic rights of individuals and result in targeting of certain communities in this country," said Deepa Iyer, Executive Director of SAALT.

South Asian organizations and community members have been actively involved in efforts against the Arizona legislation and similar policies being considered or implemented elsewhere. Arizona South Asians for Safe Families, an anti-domestic violence organization based on Scottsdale, joined lawsuit filed by various immigrant and civil rights organizations against the Arizona policy and Desis Rising Up and Moving (DRUM) has been organizing community members in New York.

In the absence of federal measures, state and local governments in jurisdictions with significant South Asian populations, including Maryland, Texas, and Virginia, are considering immigration enforcement policies similar to the Arizona law. Such policies underscore the need for just and humane immigration reform and robust anti-profiling policies. SAALT calls upon federal policymakers to enact legislation that remedies our broken immigration system and respects fundamental civil rights.

SAALT Press Room

National South Asian Organization Applauds Introduction of End Racial Profiling Act

Mou Khan — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 10:29:08 -0400

Washington DC- South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), a national non-partisan nonprofit organization whose mission is to elevate the voices and perspectives of South Asians to build a more just and inclusive society in the United States, applauds the introduction of the End Racial Profiling Act of 2010 (H.R.5748) by Congressman John Conyers of Michigan and Congressman Jerrold Nadler of New York. This landmark legislation aims to eliminate ongoing and historical racial and religious profiling that has singled out various minority communities in the United States.

Since September 11th, South Asian, Muslim, Sikh and Arab communities living in the US have been targeted for heightened scrutiny by law enforcement based on their religion, national origin or nationality. Examples include frequent searches by airport security and border inspection officers, mandatory registration of certain male nationals from predominantly Muslim-majority countries, including Pakistan and Bangladesh, under the National Security Entry Exit Registration System (NSEERS) program, and targeted surveillance of South Asian places of worship.

SAALT denounces the use of racial and religious profiling in all its forms, including those resulting from policies and practices implemented since September 11th. This bill will address the harmful impact of profiling by prohibiting various forms of the practice; requiring training and data collection on profiling for entities receiving federal law enforcement funding; supporting law enforcement initiatives that do not result in profiling; establishing complaint mechanisms; and allowing affected individuals to file lawsuits to seek redress.

“Like African-American and Latino community members long affected by profiling, South Asians have become all too familiar with the pernicious effects of these practices. Not only does it waste limited government resources by misdirecting scrutiny to innocent individuals, it also seriously erodes trust between law enforcement agencies and our communities. It is past time to outlaw the practice and ensure that targeted individuals can pursue justice. South Asians have a vital stake in the passage of the End Racial Profiling Act and we encourage community members to urge members of Congress to support this legislation,” stated Deepa Iyer, Executive Director of SAALT.

SAALT Press Room

National South Asian Organization Condemns Anti-Immigrant Arizona Law Resulting in Profiling

Mou Khan — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 10:23:30 -0400

April 26, 2010 - South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), a national organization whose mission is to elevate the voices and perspectives of South Asian individuals and organizations to build a more just and inclusive society, condemns the enactment of SB 1070 in Arizona. Signed into law by Governor Jan Brewer on April 23, this measure allows state authorities to question individuals based upon the mere suspicion that they may be undocumented and requires immigrants to carry proof of their immigration status or else face criminal penalties.

"SAALT opposes this policy as it will undoubtedly lead to profiling of communities of color, regardless of
immigration status. Anyone who appears to be an immigrant can be questioned by police and have to prove
their immigration status," said Deepa Iyer, Executive Director of SAALT."South Asian community members are all too familiar with the pernicious effects of profiling resulting from ineffective national security policies instituted following September 11th." Profiling results in community members being viewed with suspicion by not only law enforcement but also the general public and does little but fuel discrimination.
The new Arizona law also underscores the need for immigration reform and anti-profiling policies. In the
absence of federal measures, state and local governments are implementing their own immigration
enforcement policies that result in profiling, undermine trust between communities and police, and diminish
public safety. SAALT calls upon policymakers to oppose the Arizona law, and to enact policies that respect fundamental civil rights.

What can South Asian community members do?
There are a few simple steps that community members can take to oppose Arizona's new law and to
support policies that respect civil rights:
• Contact Arizona Governor Jan Brewer with the following message: "I am deeply disappointed
that you have signed SB 1070. This law promotes discrimination and profiling by legitimizing
suspicion based upon appearance. I ask that this law be rescinded immediately." Her office can be
reached at (602) 542-4331 or azgov@az.gov.
• Email President Obama and Congress and ask them to support just and humane immigration
reform and to strengthen anti-profiling policies.
• Join rallies occurring across the country on May 1 in support of immigration reform. Click here
to find a rally in your area.
• Learn more about the impact of profiling and immigration on the South Asian community by
checking out SAALT's resources.

SAALT Press Room

Majority (51-22) Generally Oppose Mosque Near Ground Zero (WSJ/NBC)

Lauren Shellito — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:36:57 -0400

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National Security & Human Rights Campaign Resources

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Majority Approves of How Obama is Handling Afghanistan (48-47), Iraq (57-41), Terrorism (50-47) (CNN/Opinion Research)

Lauren Shellito — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:28:19 -0400

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Majority of New Yorkers (50-37) Oppose Mosque Near Ground Zero (New York Times)

Lauren Shellito — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:00:31 -0400

According to a New York Times poll, a majority of New Yorkers oppose building a Muslim community center near ground zero, and many harbor ill feelings towards Muslims.

One-fifth of New Yorkers acknowledged animosity toward Muslims. Thirty-three percent said that compared with other American citizens, Muslims were more sympathetic to terrorists. And nearly 60 percent said people they know had negative feelings toward Muslims because of 9/11.

Over all, 50 percent of those surveyed oppose building the project two blocks north of the World Trade Center site, even though a majority believe that the developers have the right to do so. Thirty-five percent favor it. Two-thirds say the site should be moved to another location.

Read full article here

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