LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION expressing the sense that the State of New York
should take steps to counter the growth in discrimination, targeted
rhetorical attacks, and violence against the Muslim, Arab, Sikh, and
South Asian American communities

WHEREAS, Our great Empire State and Nation were founded on the princi-
ples of comity and religious freedom, as enshrined in Article I of the
New York State Constitution and the First Amendment of the United States
Constitution; and
WHEREAS, The protection of these principles is vital to the ongoing
sense of community shared by the diverse peoples and religious groups of
the United States; and
WHEREAS, Violent extremism is a serious threat to the sense of commu-
nity fostered by the First Amendment and is perpetrated by individuals
from a variety of racial, ethnic, religious, and political backgrounds;
and
WHEREAS, The investigation of violent extremism must be careful to
proceed based on the facts, not fear-mongering, innuendo or opinion, and
critically relies on the cooperation and confidence of the public; and
WHEREAS, Law enforcement and government officials should avoid conduct
that raises the specter of unconstitutional profiling, including the
assignment of blame or targeting members of an entire religious, ethnic,
or geographical community for increased suspicion, based on the conduct
of a single or small group of individuals; and
WHEREAS, American Muslims have over centuries long history of playing
crucial roles in the United States Armed Forces and law enforcement, and
as business leaders, physicians, lawyers, and teachers and are an inte-
gral part of diverse communities in cities and small towns throughout
New York State; and
WHEREAS, American Muslims, like all citizens, want to live in safe
communities, do their part to keep communities safe, and should enjoy
the same rights and freedoms guaranteed to all citizens of the United
States; and
WHEREAS, There exists in the United States today a disturbing and
dangerous trend of anti-Muslim rhetoric and bigotry, evidenced by
attacks against individuals, religious institutions, and entire communi-
ties; and
WHEREAS, Of the 24 cases brought by the Justice Department for the
construction of mosques under the Religious Land Use & Institutionalized
Persons Act (RLUIPA), 14 have been brought in the past 10 months alone;
and
WHEREAS, Discrimination against Muslims comprise 25 percent of
complaints of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, even though
they are only 2 percent of the population; and
WHEREAS, Numerous Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim, have trag-
ically been killed or experienced increasing levels of physical violence
and discrimination both at work and school; and
WHEREAS, Members of the New York State Congressional delegation have
recognized this alarming trend across our State and Nation; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body has a solemn duty to ensure that its
actions do not fuel misconceptions about, and prejudices toward, any
faith community including the American Muslim community and Islam; and
WHEREAS, Putting an entire community under suspicion erodes trust in
government and law enforcement at all levels, which, in turn, undermines
public safety; and

WHEREAS, Targeting American Muslims for scrutiny based on their reli-
gion goes against the core principles of religious freedom and equal
protection under the law; and
WHEREAS, Scores of religious, civil rights, law enforcement, and
national security leaders and organizations representing diverse citi-
zens of the United States and areas of expertise are concerned about
hearings which appear to target the American Muslim community; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
express the sense that the State of New York should take steps to count-
er the growth in discrimination, targeted rhetorical attacks, and
violence against the Muslim, Arab, Sikh, and South Asian American commu-
nities.