ACTION ALERT: Call on Your Members of Congress to Sign Letter Opposing King Hearings

March 2, 2011

Call your member of Congress today and urge them to sign onto a letter sponsored by Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) and Rep. John Dingell (D-MI) that calls on Rep. Peter King (R-NY) to reconsider the scope of the upcoming “radicalization” hearings.

SEE: Letter from Reps. Stark and Dingell to Rep. King

On Thursday, March 10, King, the Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, will hold hearings titled “The Extent of Radicalization in the American Muslim Community and that Community's Response."

Concerned for the safety and security of America in addition to the effectiveness of the planned hearings, the letter challenges the hearings questioning how it will undermine the work of law enforcement and will erode much needed trust to effectively counter radical extremism.

The letter reads in part:

“If you wish to examine violent extremism, we ask that you do so by examining violence motivated by extremist beliefs in all its forms. Singling out one religious group and blaming the actions of individuals on an entire community is not only unfair, it is unwise -- and it will not make our country any safer."

It is time for you to take action to help bring voice to the unjust hearings that are isolating the Muslim American community as being solely responsible for violent extremism in our country. One has to look no further than the tragedy in Tucson to see that violent extremism comes in all cultures, ethnicities and religions.

TAKE ACTION

Call your member of congress to voice your disagreement with these hearings. Click here to find your elected official.

TALKING POINTS
Here are a few suggested talking points you can use to help focus your message:

I support the letter sponsored by Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) and Rep. John Dingell (D-MI) and ask that they sign it today.
The letter calls on Rep. Peter King (R-NY), Chair of the Homeland Security Committee, to revise the scope of his scheduled hearings on Muslim Americans.
The current plan by King stereotypes and alienates Muslim Americans instead of engaging them as an important resource in the war on terror. This is especially important given that Muslim Americans have helped unfoil 7 out of the last 11 alleged plots propagated by Al-Qaeda in the United States.
Muslim Americans make vital contributions every day. They teach our children, work in hospitals, and protect the public safety as police officers and firefighters. They love this country just as every American does and should not be placed under suspicion of terrorism because of their religious beliefs or ethnic background. Unfortunately, Rep. King's hearings would do just that.