NYC Mayor's Office launched first ever citywide campaign to halt anti-Muslim violence
By Sarah Harvard
September 26, 2016
For Mic.com
Anti-Muslim hate crimes spiked in 2016 — most notably during the start of the presidential election cycle — and New York City officials hope to combat their rise through a series of public service announcements and educational workshops.
On Monday, New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio's Commission on Human Rights launched an expansive social media campaign aimed at stemming these instances of Islamophobia. The campaign consists of five banner ads featuring Muslim New Yorkers.
The text embedded in the ads reads, "I am Muslim. I am NYC." Cumulatively, they seek to remind New Yorkers that religious-based harassment and discrimination is illegal in the city.
"These bold new ads affirm every Muslim New Yorker's right to live safely and free from discrimination," Carmelyn P. Malalis, chair and commissioner of the NYC Commission on Human Rights, said in an email. "They also show that Muslims are hardworking New Yorkers just like you and me. They are our police, our teachers, our small business owners and our neighbors and they deserve the same respect as everyone else." . . .