ACLU, Muslim rights groups denounce TN sheriffs' comments
ACLU, Muslim rights groups denounce TN sheriffs' comments
Several statewide civil liberty and immigrant rights organizations are denouncing recent comments made by two Tennessee sheriffs concerning Muslims in the state.
"Recently the sheriffs of Hamilton and Sevier counties have both made alarmist and sensational anti-Muslim comments, on the heels of similar statements from state legislators. Inaccurate, sweeping indictments made by leaders in law enforcement endanger members of the very communities that they have taken an oath to protect," reads a statement from the four organizations, issued Wednesday.
The organizations are the state chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, the American Center for Outreach, the American Muslim Advisory Council and the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition.
Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Hammond and Sevier County Sheriff Ron Seals each made comments considered disparaging during recent appearances before local conservative organizations, according to reports from the Chattanooga Times Free Press and Knoxville News Sentinel.
Hammond called Islam "communism with a god" and added that Islam uses religion to get tax breaks and "use our own system against us." The sheriff said he was referencing only "jihadists," reported the Chattanooga paper.
Seals told attendees at a local tea party event to "report" Muslims who are "aggressive in local restaurants," according to the Knoxville paper.
"Law enforcement leaders and other elected officials who do not have active relationships with their local Muslim communities need to establish those relationships. Ignorance is not an excuse for those who are entrusted with public safety," said Zulfat Suara of the American Muslim Advisory Council.
Hedy Weinberg, head of the Tennessee chapter of the ACLU, said the comments from Hammond and Seals encourage racial profiling.
"Basing law enforcement decisions on false stereotypes rather than actual police work or evidence of criminal activity is not only a waste of resources, it undermines community-police relations, eroding public safety as a whole," Weinberg said.
The comments from local law enforcement come on the heels of Vice President Joe Biden calling the killing of U.S. military members in Chattanooga the act of a "perverted jihadist" during a memorial in Tennessee.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations, self-described as the largest Muslim advocacy organization in the country, condemned Hammond's comments in a statement Tuesday.
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How dare they actually shine a light on what these vermin are doing here and how they plan on enslaving us and grandkids as soon as possible!!
People this is how they are going to do it--use groups like the Communist ACLU , etc..
They are allied with the traitorous dem party and obama is their man.. A damn fact. -Tyr
18 U.S. Code § 2381-Treason Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.
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Originally Posted by Perianne
