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For Immediate Release
February, 17 2015, 11:15am EDT
Contact:
CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper,Phone: 202-744-7726,E-Mail:,ihooper@cair.com
Minnesota Muslim Leaders to Raise Concerns About New 'Stigmatizing and Ineffective' CVE Program
On Tuesday, February 17, Minnesota Muslim and Somali leaders will hold a press conference to raise concerns about they say will be the "stigmatizing and ineffective" Department of Justice (DOJ) Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) pilot program, which is the subject of a White House summit on Wednesday.
Representatives from Minnesota mosques and Muslim organizations will be present, including the largest Somali mosques and organizations in St. Paul and Minneapolis.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
On Tuesday, February 17, Minnesota Muslim and Somali leaders will hold a press conference to raise concerns about they say will be the "stigmatizing and ineffective" Department of Justice (DOJ) Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) pilot program, which is the subject of a White House summit on Wednesday.
Representatives from Minnesota mosques and Muslim organizations will be present, including the largest Somali mosques and organizations in St. Paul and Minneapolis.
WHAT: Minnesota Muslim Leaders to Raise Concerns About New 'Stigmatizing and Ineffective' CVE Program
WHEN: Tuesday, February 17, Noon
WHERE: 2021 East Hennepin Avenue, Conference Room LL20, Minneapolis, MN 55413
CONTACT: CAIR-MN Executive Director Jaylani Hussein, 612-206-3360, Cell: 612-406-0070; jhussein@cair.com
Community leaders, civil rights groups and others have expressed concerns that CVE raises serious civil liberties issues and is not an effective use of public funds.
CAIR Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Brief Questions Effectiveness of Program
CAIR-MN: Civil Rights Groups Concerned About Minneapolis CVE Pilot Program
At the news conference, the leaders will outline several recommendations at the press conference, including detaching the CVE program from the DOJ, FBI, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), National Counterterrorism Center, and other law enforcement agencies. U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger has also been asked to let private, non-government foundations offer grants to community organizations to provide adequate social services that will help educate and empower youth.
"Constitutional rights are the cornerstone of our society and must not be suspended or limited for any Americans," said CAIR-MN Executive Director Jaylani Hussein. "Allowing the federal criminal prosecutor and law enforcement agencies to engage in social services and organize mentorship and after-school programs only in the Muslim community is unprecedented. It blurs the line between community outreach and intelligence gathering."
Hussein said that American Muslims, like all Americans, condemn terrorism and terrorist organizations: "Any action that harms innocent civilians is reprehensible and deserves condemnation. CAIR condemns terrorism whenever it happens, wherever it happens and whoever commits it."
CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is a grassroots civil rights and advocacy group. CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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