Muslims in America, it's time to demand justice - CNN.com
1 of 4
SET EDITION: U.S.
TV: CNN
Home
CNNi
INTERNATIONAL
CNN en Español
TV & Video
MÉXICO
http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/06/opinion/khera-muslims-nypd/index.html
ARABIC
Sign up
Log in
HLN
NewsPulse
U.S.
World
Politics
Justice
Entertainment
Tech
Health
Living
Travel
Opinion
iReport
Money
Sports
Muslims in America, it's time to demand
justice
By Farhana Khera, Special to CNN
updated 8:36 AM EDT, Wed June 6, 2012
Part of complete coverage on
Opinion on the news
New York University students at a town hall in February to discuss the NYPD's surveillance of Muslim communities.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Farhana Khera: Muslims are
targets of surveillance by the
NYPD because of their faith
Editor's note: Farhana Khera is the president and executive
director of Muslim Advocates, a national legal advocacy
organization dedicated to promoting freedom, justice and equality
for all, regardless of faith.
Khera: Victims of NYPD's
spying program are stepping up
to file a lawsuit
(CNN) -- I am an American Muslim. When I was growing up in a small
town in upstate New York, the America I lived in cherished diversity
She says living freely as a
and the freedom to worship, regardless of one's religion. People of
Muslim in America today has
various faiths resided in my community: Protestants, Catholics,
become increasingly difficult
Khera: It is time for the courts to Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and Mormons. How a person prayed
weigh in and ban discriminatory was never a factor in how we treated each other.
action by the police
Yet today, Muslims in America are viewed as suspect and legitimate
targets for surveillance by the New York Police Department because
of their faith. This is not the America I know, and it is time for the
courts to weigh in and ban discriminatory policing by the NYPD.
Let me be clear: Anyone who engages in criminal acts should be
stopped and brought to justice. But the NYPD can do that without
targeting an entire community for blanket surveillance.
GOP shouldn't get cocky over
Wisconsin vote
updated 12:15 PM EDT, Wed June 6, 2012
Ilyse Hogue says after huge
GOP spending push, Walker
won, but it's no rout of
Democrats: Exit polls show
most Wisconsin voters back
unions, Obama
Muslims in America, it's time to
demand justice
updated 8:36 AM EDT, Wed June 6, 2012
Farhana Khera says it is time
for the courts to weigh in on
NYPD's discriminatory
surveillance of an entire
community
Walker's win bolsters tea party,
weakens Democrats
updated 10:07 AM EDT, Wed June 6, 2012
William Bennett says taxpayers
in Wisconsin affirmed Gov.
Scott Walker's reforms and
ended the state's unholy
alliance between big
government and big labor
Follow CNN Opinion on Twitter
6/6/2012 12:31 PM
Muslims in America, it's time to demand justice - CNN.com
2 of 4
Farhana Khera
http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/06/opinion/khera-muslims-nypd/index.html
The NYPD has been spying on American Muslims in New
York as well as in towns, communities and college
campuses throughout the Northeast. In New Jersey, for
example, the NYPD visited mosques, schools,
Muslim-owned restaurants and small stores and took
photographs and videos of people and their cars,
collecting information about ordinary people's daily lives,
clothing and eating habits.
Muslims have been a part of America since the first slave ships
arrived. We have contributed to our nation's growth and fought and
given up our lives defending it. Today, we are as diverse as our
nation: We are white, black, Latino, Pakistani, Indian, Arab, Iranian
and Indonesian. We are teachers, doctors, lawyers, engineers, store
owners and business leaders. We are members of the military and
Congress.
Get the latest opinion and
analysis from CNN's columnists
and contributors.
A victory for curbs on public worker
unions
updated 12:48 AM EDT, Wed June 6, 2012
David Gergen says Gov. Scott
Walker's decisive win fuels
national efforts to reform pay
and benefits for public
workers, but officials should
respect the valid role of unions
Would picking Rubio for VP insult
Hispanics?
updated 8:21 AM EDT, Wed June 6, 2012
But living freely as a Muslim in America today has become
increasingly difficult. In New York and New Jersey, worshipers at
local mosques fear that their discussions may be monitored and
misinterpreted by police informants. Store owners wonder whether
one of the customers might be an undercover cop looking to
eavesdrop. Parents of college students caution their children about
participating in Muslim student group activities.
Ana Navarro says an Obama
adviser was wrong to
pre-emptively criticize the
possible selection of Marco
Rubio for VP
A transit of Venus, an age of
wondrous science
updated 9:59 AM EDT, Wed June 6, 2012
More than 100 faiths and civil liberties organizations have publicly
objected to the NYPD's conduct. They are joined by numerous public
officials, including 35 members of Congress. Newark Mayor Cory
Booker and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie have voiced their
objections. In addition, Reps. Rush Holt of New Jersey, Judy Chu of
California and Keith Ellison of Minnesota have recently introduced a
resolution condemning the NYPD's discriminatory practices and
calling for an investigation of the NYPD.
Despite all this outrage, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and
federal officials with an obligation to enforce the law and protect
Americans have refused to launch an investigation.
Meg Urry says pay attention:
This is your only chance to
witness such a crossing. The
next one will take place in 2117
The most trusted man in America
updated 1:27 PM EDT, Tue June 5, 2012
For much of the second half of
the 20th century, Walter
Cronkite was the authoritative
voice of television news in
America, according to author
Douglas Brinkley
That is why today, victims of NYPD's spying program have stepped
up and filed a lawsuit against the police department, asking a federal
court in New Jersey to ban religious discrimination by law
enforcement. Since public officials with direct oversight responsibility
have turned a blind eye toward this bigotry, the victims have bravely
come forward, turning to the courts as a last resort.
Poor and fat: The real class war
This lawsuit is about the pervasive and discriminatory policies and
practices that Commissioner Ray Kelly and his leadership team have
put into motion and that need to stop. Standing up to the largest
police department in the country takes courage, and these brave
individuals have done so in order to protect America's future.
Wisconsin's deep political anger isn't
going away
The plaintiffs in this lawsuit include college students, a military
serviceman who has put his life on the front lines in Iraq and a smallbusiness owner who is also a Vietnam veteran. They are ordinary
Americans just trying to live a normal life, raising their families and
supporting their country. These plaintiffs are parents, students,
business leaders and service members who enrich our communities.
Their only "crime" is that they are Muslim in America.
Throughout our nation's history, the courts have often been called
upon to protect fundamental rights and defend justice. Following this
well-worn path, American Muslims are now raising their voices and
knocking on the courthouse door, determined that our system of
justice will protect the rights of all Americans.
updated 9:51 AM EDT, Wed June 6, 2012
LZ Granderson says there are
unignorable parallels between
fat states, life expectancy,
poverty--and health care costs.
updated 11:41 AM EDT, Tue June 5, 2012
Alan Borsuk says the recall
vote in Wisconsin won't stop
the intense approach to politics
there
U.S. economy heading straight for the
cliff
updated 6:45 PM EDT, Tue June 5, 2012
Amitai Etzioni says leaders in
Washington can't afford to wait
until after the election to deal
with the debt problem
Fix, don't destroy, public worker
unions
updated 12:48 AM EDT, Wed June 6, 2012
Follow us on Twitter @CNNOpinion
Join us on Facebook/CNNOpinion
6/6/2012 12:31 PM
Muslims in America, it's time to demand justice - CNN.com
3 of 4
http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/06/opinion/khera-muslims-nypd/index.html
David Gergen says if Gov.
Walker wins Wisconsin's recall
vote, it shows many people
want unions to curb abuses.
But we should not destroy them
in the process.
The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Farhana Khera.
Conservative case for same-sex
marriages
updated 9:41 AM EDT, Wed June 6, 2012
We recommend
Christopher Wolf says the
reasoning in last week's ruling
declaring the Defense of
Marriage Act unconstitutional
was based on conservative
principle.
From around the web
African adoption should be discouraged 'at all costs,'
group says
13 Things Your Bartender Won't Tell You Reader's
Digest
U.S. economy heading straight for the cliff
Q&A: The Dishwasher vs. Washing Dishes By Hand
Recyclebank
NJ attorney general: NYPD surveillance of Muslims
was legal
Mexico Travel (Slideshow) Away.com
Tennessee mosque's fate up in the air after court
ruling
When courts pretend it's not about race
Our hands-on demo with the Wii U
Bloomberg's visionary move against
obesity
updated 8:32 AM EDT, Mon June 4, 2012
David Frum thinks Mayor
Michael Bloomberg's proposal
to ban oversized servings of
sugary drinks in New York
makes sense.
How to Stream Internet Content to Your TV Yahoo!
Amazing Natural Swimming Holes Around The World
Bangstyle
Scientists Sound Alarm: ‘Aliens in Antarctica’
TakePart
[what's this]
NewsPulse
Most popular stories right now
Stocks rally on hopes for
Europe
Miley Cyrus engaged to actor
Trainer gains 70 pounds, then
loses it all
Sheryl Crow: Tumor is a 'bump
in the road'
Warren Buffett: U.S. recession
is unlikely
Explore the news with NewsPulse »
6/6/2012 12:31 PM
Muslims in America, it's time to demand justice - CNN.com
4 of 4
74°
http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/06/opinion/khera-muslims-nypd/index.html
HI 78° LO 61°
Atlanta, GA Weather forecast
Home | Video | NewsPulse | U.S. | World | Politics | Justice | Entertainment | Tech | Health | Living | Travel | Opinion | iReport | Money | Sports
Tools & widgets | RSS | Podcasts | Blogs | CNN mobile | My profile | E-mail alerts | CNN shop | Site map
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of service | Privacy guidelines | Ad choices
| Advertise with us | About us | Contact us | Work for us | Help
CNN en ESPAÑOL | CNN Chile | CNN Expansion | GHIJKL‫| ا‬
한국어 | ⽇本語 | Türkçe
CNN TV | HLN | Transcripts |
6/6/2012 12:31 PM