(SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ, 11/8/2017) — The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today congratulated Jerry Shi and Falguni Patel for their victories in the Edison school board election, and Ravi Bhalla, for his victory in the Hoboken mayoral race — all of whom had been the victims of racist smear campaigns.
“The New Jersey voting public has spoken and has resoundingly said that they will not be influenced by divisive, racist smear tactics,” said James Sues, executive director of CAIR-NJ. “Despite the fear-mongering and bigotry that characterizes the current political climate at the national level, the citizens of New Jersey have demonstrated that we are a welcoming community.”
On November 2, CAIR NJ decried the distribution of a racist mailer that had the heading “Make Edison Great Again,” and declared “The Chinese and Indians are Taking over our Town”. The mailer was an effort to sway voters in the school board election in Edison, N.J., where one candidate, Falguni Patel, is of Indian descent and another Jerry Shi, is of Chinese descent. That mailer displayed pictures of the candidates with mock immigration stamps declaring “Deport” overlapping them.
On November 5, CAIR NJ decried the distribution of a racist flyer with the heading “Don’t let Terrorism Take Over Our Town,” with the picture of Sikh mayoral candidate, Ravi Bhalla. Sikh men who wear beards and turbans as part of their faith are often targeted by bigots who mistake them for Muslims.
SEE: SEE: Racist ‘Make Edison Great Again’ mailer targets Asian school board candidates
http://www.nj.com/middlesex/index.ssf/2017/11/racist_campaign_posctards_being_mailed_in_edison.html
Fliers attack Sikh mayoral candidate, portraying him as a terrorist
http://pix11.com/2017/11/04/fliers-attack-sikh-mayoral-candidate-portraying-him-as-a-terrorist/
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.
La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.
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