CAIR-NY Asks Comptroller to Audit NYPD Muslim Surveillance Costs
(NEW YORK, N.Y., 9/6/13) –- The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) today called on New York City Comptroller John C. Liu, candidate for NYC Mayor, to audit costs associated with the New York City Police Department’s (NYPD) widespread surveillance program targeting law-abiding Muslims.
In a letter to Comptroller Liu, CAIR-NY wrote in part:
“The unwarranted actions the NYPD has taken against the Muslims in New York, cannot and should not be ignored. If issues such as these continue to be put aside it will only escalate into something much worse; a further deterioration into distrust and fear of the NYPD. The NYPD has been financing an unconstitutional policy and practice of targeting entire Muslim communities for discriminatory surveillance. . .The NYPD Intelligence Division is able to take such actions only because they have been given ample resources including hundreds of millions in federal, state, and municipal funds.”
CAIR-NY’s letter requests “a full fiscal management and operations audit of the sections and units of the New York Police Department’s Intelligence Division.”
SEE: CAIR-NY Letter to Comptroller Jon C. Liu
http://virtuecenter.s3.amazonaws.com/files/2013-09-06-11/lettertocomptrollerjohnliu.pdf
“No one knows exactly how much taxpayer money the NYPD has squandered through their unconstitutional and counterproductive surveillance programs that target people solely based on their faith and ethnicity,” said CAIR-NY Board President Ryan Mahoney. “We urge Comptroller Liu to continue standing with the people of New York City and on the side of justice by launching a comprehensive financial audit of the NYPD.”
CAIR-NY sent a similar letter requesting an audit to the office of Attorney General Eric Holder.
SEE: CAIR-NY Letter to Attorney General Eric Holder
http://virtuecenter.s3.amazonaws.com/files/2013-09-06-14/cairnyattorneygeneralletter.pdf
A request for an audit has also been sent by State Senators Kevin Parker and Eric Adams to the comptroller and the state attorney general. A similar letter has been sent by a diverse set of community organizations, houses of worship, civil rights groups, activists and individuals.
SEE: State Senators Kevin Parker and Eric Adams Request NYC Comptroller John Liu to Audit NYPD Intelligence Division
Senators Kevin Parker and Eric Adams Urge Attorney General Eric Schneiderman to Investigate NYPD Foundation Inc.
Letter by Diverse Set of Community Organizations, Houses of Worship, Civil Rights Groups, Activists and Individuals
http://virtuecenter.s3.amazonaws.com/files/2013-09-06-13/auditrequestforcomptrollerliu.pdf
CAIR-NY, along with other civil rights organizations, recently urged the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate reported violations of the constitutional rights of Muslims by the New York City Police Department (NYPD). That request came following new revelations by The Associated Press (AP) that the NYPD “has secretly labeled entire mosques as terrorism organizations, a designation that allows police to use informants to record sermons and spy on imams, often without specific evidence of criminal wrongdoing.”
SEE: CAIR-NY, Rights Groups to Seek DOJ Probe of NYPD 'Terror' Designation for Mosques
SEE ALSO: Inside the NYPD's Muslim Spying Program (Rolling Stone)
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/inside-the-nypds-muslim-spying-program-20130906
The NYPD has Burrowed Deep into the Heart of Brooklyn's Muslim Community
The NYPD Guide to Watching Cricket (and Muslims) In New York City
http://gawker.com/the-nypd-guide-to-watching-cricket-and-muslims-in-new-1208505348
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, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com