CWTA STANDS WITH CITY COUNCIL AGAINST ISLAMAPHOBIA
CWTA STANDS WITH THE CITY COUNCIL AGAINST ISLAMAPHOBIA
Safiyyah P. Muhammad
Chicago Women Takes Action (CWTA) organization recently
lauded the Chicago City Council on the passing of an anti-bigotry resolution that supports more than 385,000 Muslims in the greater Chicagoland who face religious persecution, bigotry, discrimination and hate crimes, according to Jane Ramsey, a member of Chicago Women Takes Action (CWTA) and Committee Chair for Gun Violence Protection and Police Accountability.
“The anti-Muslim resolution was passed by the Chicago City Council on November 9, 2016, one day after the election,” Ramsey said.
Ramsey explained that the resolution responds to an increase in Islamophobia that causes hate crimes and employment discrimination toward Arab and Muslim-
Americans.
According to Ramsey, the resolution a¤rmed that both the Mayor and City Council stand in condemnation of all hateful speech and violent action directed at Muslims; those perceived to be Muslims, immigrants and people of color.
"At CWTA, we believe this resolution and others sends a signal to the residents of the city as well as to its leaders, that Islamophobia and anti-immigrant acts and words will not be tolerated in our city. It requires law enforcement to protect not profile.” Ramsey said.
Ramsey also stated that there are resolutions that have been passed across the country in cities including Tucson, AZ; Culver City, CA; San Francisco, CA; West Hollywood, CA; Washington, DC; Miami, FL; New Orleans, LA; Cambridge, MA; Springfield, MA; Baltimore, MD; Portland, ME; Minneapolis,
MN; Kansas City, MO; St. Louis, MO; Durham, NC;
Greensboro, NC, among others. President-elect Donald Trump will play a pivotal role in how race relations will play out in America the next four years. Throughout his presidential campaign, Trump was often accused of making incendiary remarks against Muslims, blacks and Mexican-Americans.
“Trump must speak out clearly and firmly that intolerance has no place in this country and that if intolerance is being practiced, it will be dealt with harshly. Unfortunately, Trump has done the opposite, fanning the flames of Islamophobia and bigotry in many forms. He made a statement to the press
after the election when asked about hate crimes. His response was simply: "Stop it." That's not a serious enough message, nor is it sending a clear, consistent or persistent message, particularly given his inflammatory words and deeds,” Ramsey said.
There has been an increase of hate crimes against Muslims in the Chicago area. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, there were 257 reported incidents of hate crimes in 2015, compared to 154 in 2014, which means that there has been a 67 percent
increase in hate crimes against Muslims over a two year
period.
Ramsey discussed CWTA’s position to end hateful remarks against Muslims, she said, “To decrease anti-Muslim sentiments, we all must be vigilant, and speak out against every incident.
We must stand with our Muslim neighbors. We must demand that the government protects them against racial profiling and harassment by other branches of government or private citizens."
Ramsey stated that CWTA is unaware of Rauner’s position on the City Council anti-bigotry resolution, but stated that he should support it. “His vote for Trump speaks volumes,” Ramsey said.
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