Last week, the New York Times reported that hate crimes against Muslim Americans have reached the highest levels since the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, “an increase apparently fueled by terrorist attacks in the United States and abroad and by divisive language on the campaign trail.”
This week, the good (er, better) news is that the NYC Commission on Human Rights along with Mayor Bill De Blasio has launched a campaign to support local Muslim communities, directly taking on hate crimes and incidents. The campaign ads feature photos of Muslim New Yorkers with accompanied text that simply says: “I am Muslim. I am NYC.”
“These bold new ads affirm every Muslim New Yorker’s right to live safely and free from discrimination,” says commissioner of the NYC Commission on Human Rights, Carmelyn P. Malalis. “They also show that Muslims are hardworking New Yorkers just like you and me. They are our police, our teachers, our small business owners and our neighbors and they deserve the same respect as everyone else.”
