CAIR-NY, Muslim Community Leaders Meet with Lawmakers on ‘Muslim Advocacy Day’
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(NEW YORK, NY, 04/28/17) - The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) and Muslim Leaders from across New York state held dozens of advocacy meetings earlier this week with elected officials and their staff at the state Capitol in Albany as part of “Muslim Advocacy Day 2017.”
The community leaders advocated on two sweeping laws in effort to promote just, equitable and progressive policies in New York. If enacted, these laws would prevent New York’s participation in a so-called “Muslim registry,” prevent local law enforcement cooperation with immigration enforcement, and protect electronic communications (such as emails and social media) from warrantless surveillance.
1. S. 4075a (Support) – The New York State Liberty Act would stop state and local agencies from assisting the federal government in establishing a database or registry based on religion, race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin. The act would also prevent local law enforcement cooperation with U.S. I.C.E. immigration enforcement.
2. A. 1895 (Support) – The New York State Electronic Communications Privacy Act would require law enforcement to obtain a warrant issued by a judge before they are legally allowed to track cellular devices, read emails and/or text messages, or access any other electronic documents.
CAIR-NY arranged for Hafiz Badar Usmani, Imam of Masjid AlNoor in Wappingers Falls, N.Y., to give an invocation to the New York State Assembly and CAIR-NY received a proclamation from the assembly expressing support for the organization’s civil rights work.
"Muslim Advocacy Day provides our community with a platform to build relationships with their legislators and to advocate for issues that positively shape our local communities,” said CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher. “The growing success of Muslim Advocacy Day illustrates that New York Muslims are growing their political muscle and helping influence state politics for a more inclusive, tolerant and just society."
CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.
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