Feb. 3: Muslims and allies demand NYPD Accountability

MUSLIMS AND ALLIES DEMAND NYPD ACCOUNTABILITY The NYPD is Watching Us, But Who is Watching the NYPD? Join New Yorkers demanding a police department that is accountable to the public […]

MUSLIMS AND ALLIES DEMAND NYPD ACCOUNTABILITY
The NYPD is Watching Us, But Who is Watching the NYPD?

Join New Yorkers demanding a police department that is accountable to the public who fund it through our tax dollars.

WHAT: RALLY FOR JUSTICE & MARCH ON 1 POLICE PLAZA
WHEN: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012, 3-5 PM (AFTER JUM’A)
WHERE: FOLEY SQUARE, LOWER MANHATTAN

The Majlis Ash-Shura of Metro NY and DRUM (Desis Rising Up & Moving) are co-organizing a rally with the support of other Muslim communities, leaders and activists, and allies, in order to demand the following:

1. The resignation of Commissioner Kelly and NYPD spokesperson Paul Browne
2. Demand for independent community control of the NYPD, and a well-funded oversight mechanism with subpoena power

WHY?

The NYPD has been exposed for participating in the making of, and the showing of the bigoted, Islamophobic film, “The Third Jihad” to 1,500 police officers, and then repeatedly lying about it. The NYPD has been spying on Muslim communities in mosques, schools, businesses, colleges, and community centers in the five boroughs.

The film depicts the majority of American Muslims as supportive of violent extremism, and specifically names several prominent Muslim organizations ICNA (Islamic Circle of North America), MAS (Muslim American Society), CAIR (Council on American Islamic Relations), ISNA (Islamic Society of North America), and others as examples of this. It also accuses the majority of American Muslims of secretly being part of a conspiracy to take over the U.S. government.

Commissioner Ray Kelly willingly participated in the making of the film, and while he has apologized, he has not explained why the NYPD chose to lie, on the record, about his participation for well over a year. In the meantime, Commissioner Kelly has smugly dismissed community concerns by saying he has “excellent relations” with NYC Muslim communities on the basis of only talking and meeting with those hand-picked leaders who continue to support him without regards to the experiences and feelings of people in our communities. We know that the NYPD has operated without transparency or accountability, and often with brute force, with Black, Latino, and other communities of color, and youth for decades.

Supporters: List in formation (To endorse please email fahd@drumnyc.org)

Arab Muslim American Federation
Council on American Islamic Relations- New York (CAIR-NY)
Muslim American Society (MAS)
Al-Awda NY
The Mosque of Islamic Brotherhood
Social Justice Task Force of Muslim Alliance in North Americ
ICNA New York
National Lawyers Guild – Muslim Defense Committee
Muslim Peace Coalition-USA, NY
Pakistan Solidarity Network
National Lawyers Guild – NYC Chapter
National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights
PAKISTAN USA FREEDOM FORUM
The Justice Committee
Project SALAM
BAYAN USA
International Socialist Organization
Yemeni American Coalition for Change
Defending Dissent Foundation
May 1st Coalition for Worker & Immigrant Rights
NYC Coalition to Stop Islamophobia
World Can’t Wait
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC)
Arab American Action Network (AAAN)
Turning Point for Women and Families
Asian American Legal Defense Fund (AALDEF)
International Action Center
WESPAC Foundation
Ad Hoc Coalition to Defend the Egyptian Revolution
Committee to Stop FBI Repression-NY
Jews Against Islamophobia
Jews for Racial and Economic Justice
Black Unity
CAAAV