June 5, 2009

Attorney General Eric Holder

After President Obama's speech in Cairo, Attorney General Eric Holder issued a statement on the Department of Justice's outreach and enforcement efforts to protect American Muslim Civil Liberties. This bold and significant statement is a strong testament of the integrity of the Obama Administration. It clearly indicates commitment to keeping the president's promises to the American People and global populations.

Attorney General Holder released the following statement:

"The President's pledge for a new beginning between the United States and the Muslim community takes root here in the Justice Department where we are committed to using criminal and civil rights laws to protect Muslim Americans. A top priority of this Justice Department is a return to robust civil rights enforcement and outreach in defending religious freedoms and other fundamental rights of all of our fellow citizens in the workplace, in the housing market, in our schools and in the voting booth.

"There are those who will continue to want to divide by fear - to pit our national security against our civil liberties - but that is a false choice. We have a solemn responsibility to protect our people while we also protect our principles."

MPAC applauds Attorney General Holder for ensuring the safety and security Muslim Americans. It is unfortunate that some have responded to the President and Attorney General's statements, with hate crime. Such is the case of a Mosque vandalized yesterday in Cypress, CA.

MPAC is thankful to local law enforcement officials who quickly responded to the hate crime and began clean-up efforts.