CAIR-NY Calls for the Reconsideration of Prospective DHS Nomination
(NEW YORK, NY, 9/18/13) - The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) is calling on the Obama Administration and New York Senators Kristen Gillibrand and Charles Schumer to reject any possible consideration of nominating NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly as a replacement for outgoing Secretary of Department of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano.
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUESTED: CAIR-NY has provided a "click and send" letter to President Obama, Vice President Biden and New York Senators Kristen Gillibrand and Charles Schumer for Americans who oppose the potential nomination of NYPD commissioner Ray Kelly for Secretary of Department of Homeland Security.
SEE: Would Obama consider Ray Kelly for Homeland Security?
SEE: Vice President Joe Biden gives NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly a 'bump' for Homeland Security job
As NYPD Commissioner Kelly has been an adamant propagator of discriminatory policing. CAIR NY believes that this has led to a decreasing trust of the NYPD especially from those affected, especially by New York Muslims that have been one of the groups at the forefront of such profiling. Kelly has allowed for surveillance of various Muslim groups and student associations, even infiltrating student community trips, and events.
SEE: Mapping Muslims: NYPD Spying and its Impact on American Muslims
SEE: Spying on Law-Abiding Muslims
Muslims unfortunately haven’t been the only group targeted and distanced by Kelly’s “aggressive” policing. Kelly’s and Mayor Bloomberg’s Stop and Frisk program has alienated minority groups in the New York and national arena, as the program institutionalized discrimination and racial profiling.
In August 2013, a federal court ruled that the NYPD’s stop-and-frisk program violated the constitutional rights of tens of thousands of the city’s residents. The judge’s ruling came in response to a lawsuit brought against the city by the Center for Constitutional Rights challenging the constitutionality of the police practice.
“Ray Kelly is a disgrace as Police Commissioner for ordering NYPD officers to spy on mosques, as well as Muslim restaurants, businesses and student meetings. He has advanced harmful stereotypes, while not producing a single investigation. He has disproportionately subjected young African American and Latino males living in high-crime areas to the brutal and demoralizing practice of stop-and-frisk on a daily basis – sewing the seeds of distrust towards law enforcement,” said CAIR-NY Board President Ryan Mahoney
“He has demonstrated his arrogance and disrespect for constitution by targeting communities based on their religion, race or political activities, without any evidence of wrongdoing. Ray Kelly should be sanctioned for his actions and certainly not promoted to a national position. CAIR-NY calls for the official and immediate disqualification of Ray Kelly from consideration as secretary of Homeland Security.”
CAIR-NY has raised awareness about these issues in welcoming the lawsuit filed over NYPD surveillance of Muslims as well as advocating for the passage of the Community Safety Act.
SEE: Civil Liberties Groups File Lawsuit Over NYPD surveillance of Muslims
SEE: Floyd, et al. v. City of New York, et al.
CAIR-NY is a chapter of America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
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CONTACT: CAIR-NY Board President Ryan Mahoney 646-734-1029, CAIR-NY Operations Coordinator Sadyia Khalique 212-870-2002, E-Mail: skhalique@cair.com. CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper,202-488-8787 E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com