LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION condemning violence, bigotry, and hateful rheto-
ric towards Muslims, and celebrating our Nation's history of tolerance
towards all faiths in the State of New York

WHEREAS, The victims of anti-Muslim hate crimes and rhetoric have faced
physical, verbal, and emotional abuse because they were Muslim or
believed to be Muslim; and
WHEREAS, The constitutional right to freedom of religious practice is
a cherished American value and violence or hate speech towards any
community based on their faith is in contravention of our founding prin-
ciples; and
WHEREAS, There are thousands of Muslims in New York State, a community
made up of many diverse beliefs and cultures, and both immigrants and
native-born New Yorkers; and
WHEREAS, New York State's Muslim community is recognized as having
made innumerable contributions to the cultural and economic fabric and
well-being of our society; and
WHEREAS, Hateful and intolerant acts against Muslims, or those
perceived to be Muslim, are contrary to the American values of accept-
ance, welcoming, and fellowship with those of all faiths, beliefs, and
cultures; and
WHEREAS, These acts affect not only the individual victims but also
their families, communities, and the entire group whose faith or beliefs
were the motivation for the act; and
WHEREAS, Muslim women who wear hijabs, headscarves, or other religious
articles of clothing have been disproportionately targeted because of
their religious clothing, articles, or observances; and
WHEREAS, The rise of hateful and anti-Muslim speech, violence, and
cultural ignorance plays into the false narrative spread by terrorist
groups of Western hatred of Islam, and can encourage certain individuals
to react in extreme and violent ways; and
WHEREAS, Religious extremism that promotes violence or bigotry in the
name of faith is not the property of any specific faith and must be
opposed in all its forms whenever undertaken by any member of any faith;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
condemn violence, bigotry, and hateful rhetoric towards Muslims, and to
celebrate our Nation's history of tolerance towards all faiths in the
State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause further to express its
condolences for the victims of anti-Muslim hate crimes and all hate
crimes; to steadfastly confirm its dedication to the rights and dignity
of all its citizens of all faiths, beliefs, and cultures; to denounce in
the strongest terms the increase of intimidation, violence, vandalism,
arson, and other hate crimes targeted against mosques, Muslims or those
perceived to be Muslim; to recognize that the Muslim community in New
York State has made countless positive contributions to our society; to
declare that the civil rights and civil liberties of people of all
faiths should be protected and preserved; to urge local, State and
Federal law enforcement authorities to work to prevent hate crimes and
to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law those perpetrators of hate
crimes; and to reaffirm the inalienable right of every individual to
live without fear and intimidation, and to practice their freedom of
faith.