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Pakistan Link – April 16, 2004 CA Legislature Condemns Bigotry By Sabiha Khan Sacramento: The Council on American-Islamic Relations-California (CAIR-CA) announced the unanimous passage (70-0) of Assembly Joint Resolution 64 (AJR 64) condemning bigotry and violence against Muslim Americans, Arab Americans, South Asian Americans, and Sikh Americans in the California legislature. The resolution, introduced by Assembly member Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park), and co-authored by 66 Assembly members, was voted on the Assembly floor on Thursday, April 1. AJR 64 was sponsored by CAIR-California. A large number of community members were present in the Upper Gallery of the Assembly in Sacramento to witness this historic event, including representatives of CAIR, various Islamic centers and mosques of Northern California, and other Asian, Chicano and Sikh organizations. A press conference was held at the state capitol after the passage of AJR 64. More than forty other organizations and governmental entities signed on as co-sponsors including the office of California Attorney General Bill Lockyer and other law enforcement officials from across the state. California is the first state to pass such a resolution. Similar bills, House Resolution 234 and Senate Resolution 133, were passed unanimously in Congress in 2003. CAIR-LA, community leaders and elected officials also held a press conference on AJR 64 the next day at the Islamic Society of Orange County after the Jum’ah prayer. At both press conferences, Assembly member Judy Chu and a representative of Attorney General Bill Lockyer’s were present and addressed the community. Sheriff Michael Carona of Orange County also addressed the community at the Southern California press conference at the Islamic Society of Orange County. “This is a significant moment in the life of American Muslims,” said CAIR-LA Director of Governmental Relations Omar Zaki. “American Muslims, Arabs, South Asians, and Sikhs are integral to our country’s prosperity and continue to contribute to our country’s success in every sphere of life. With this resolution, California reaffirms its stance against bigotry and for inclusiveness of all Californians regardless of race or religion.” Assemblymember Judy Chu stated, “The fact that hate crimes and discrimination continue to be perpetrated against American Muslims, Arabs, South Asians and Sikhs at a higher number than ever before is unacceptable. We must be vigilante in preventing and prosecuting hate crimes. Assembly Joint Resolution 64 affirms our stance against hate crimes and our dedication to protect the civil rights and liberties of all Americans.” “Attacks on any American based on discrimination and hate cannot and will not be tolerated,” said Attorney General Bill Lockyer, a co-sponsor of Assemblymember Chu’s resolution. “I urge all prosecutors to join me in ensuring that the civil rights of all Californians are vigorously protected and that those who prey on others because of their race, color, ancestry or religion are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” The resolution comes at a time when an increased number of anti-Muslim (and those perceived to be Muslim) incidents have been reported to CAIR across the country for the year of 2003. A few of these incidents in California include a Muslim teenager who was badly beaten by a group that allegedly included white supremacists in Yorba Linda in February, 2003; FBI investigated threats made against Muslim students at San Jose State University (SJSU). The threats took the form of expletive-laden graffiti scrawled at locations around the campus; four Muslim women from Northern California visiting a Venice restaurant in March said they were verbally assaulted by another patron who made references to raping Muslim women and threatened them with physical assault. The accused, Murray Gurfein, 54, of Marina del Rey pleaded no contest to one misdemeanor count of a hate crime and sentenced to 36 months probation and ordered to serve 60 days in county jail or perform 60 days of Caltrans work; in May of 2003, vandals attacked a mosque in San Luis Obispo, Calif.; and in September 2003, Sikh cabdriver Davinder Singh was shot to death in Redwood City. |