New York Neighbors for American Values Denounces Congressional Candidate’s Messaging Against Islamic Center

For Immediate Release:

Contact: Susan Lerner

August 24, 2011

212-691-6421

New York Neighbors for American Values Denounces Congressional Candidate’s Messaging Against Islamic Center

Non-Partisan Coalition of over 130 Local Organizations calls for Focus on Real Issues, End to anti-Muslim Pandering

In the wake of an intense race for the Queens CD 9 seat left vacant by Congressman Anthony Weiner, New York Neighbors for American Values released the following statement as a response to anti-Muslim rhetoric in that contest:

“Dragging Park51 into the recent candidate debate in the Queens CD 9 special election is pure political pandering of the most divisive sort. Provocative negative campaign rhetoric referencing support for Park51 attacks the core American principle of religious freedom. It distracts from the difficult challenges that members of Congress should address, among them, the stagnant economy and continued high unemployment. We at New York Neighbors for American Values call on our elected leaders and officials of all political parties to condemn this inappropriate campaign rhetoric for its bigotry and the damage which it does to political discourse in our city.”

New York Neighbors for American Values is a coalition of more than 130 organizations, including Common Cause New York, that embraces the core American values of religious freedom, diversity and equality.