May 14, 2019

Over the weekend, GOP politicians have resumed their baseless attacks on American Muslims. This time they targeted Rep. Rashida Tlaib, undercutting her message of human dignity for Palestinians and the Jewish community. Republican Members of Congress have taken her words out of context and spun them as anti-Semitic. The implication of this is that her voice and the voices of other American Muslims are marginalized in critical conversations. The GOP leadership should be ashamed for weaponizing anti-Semitism to push Islamophobia.

When conspiracy theories start coming from our elected officials, it’s a new low in our deteriorating democracy. These accusations have real-world consequences: they perpetuate hate speech, hate crimes and threats against individuals and their families. Several weeks ago, Rep. Ilhan Omar was also attacked for statements that were taken out of context and online hate turned serious when death threats were made against her.

This is not a new tactic. American Muslims who have been voted into elected positions suffer through this every single time. Without fail, right-wing extremists will attack any person who attempts to change the status quo. Together, with all people of conscience, we must stand against this kind of blatant bigotry and hate.