Congressmen Cohen Presides at a Hearing on Discrimination and the Civil Rights of the Muslim, Arab, and South Asian American Communities

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, today presided at a hearing on "Discrimination and the Civil Rights of the Muslim, Arab, and South Asian American Communities."

In his opening statement, Congressman Cohen said in part:

"The history of this community is one that also parallels the experience of many traditionally marginalized communities and is deeply rooted in our history. While they are promised individual liberty and guaranteed the opportunity for a better life, they are subjected to discrimination and stigmatization, both at the hands of their own government and some number of their own fellow Americans…

"But the history of this community is also a story of resilience—their stories are those of families and individuals that have struggled for freedom, safety, economic opportunity, or the right to worship, or not to worship, according to the dictates of their own conscience.

"In that sense, the diverse elements of the Muslim, Arab, and South Asian American community share in common what Americans all share: the common, fundamental belief that if you work hard, contribute to your community, respect the rights of others as you wish your own rights to be respected, and place your faith in our constitution and democracy – you belong here.

"Yet even though they live in accordance with these fundamental beliefs, many in our society continue to stigmatize the Muslim, Arab, and South Asian American communities as perpetual foreigners, as somehow ‘un-American.'

"We have seen this stigma reflected in individual acts of discrimination and hate…

"We have also seen it reflected in the current rise of nativism and white supremacy, as individuals or places of worship associated with these communities are increasingly the targets of vandalism and violence.

"These acts of violence, hate, and discrimination are an affront to our shared values and governing principles, and they have no place in our society."

See Chairman Cohen's entire remarks here.

Witnesses at today's hearing were:

• Ms. Amrith Kaur Aakre, Legal Director, The Sikh Coalition;
• Mr. Hammad Alam, Staff Attorney and Program Manager, National Security and Civil Rights, Asian Law Caucus Asian Americans Advancing Justice;
• Ms. Maya Berry, Executive Director, Arab American Institute;
• The Honorable Andre Carson, Member of Congress;
• The Honorable Judy Chu, Member of Congress;
• The Honorable Pramila Jayapal, Member of Congress;
• Ms. Asra Nomani, Vice President for Strategy and Investigations, Parents Defending Education;
• The Honorable Ilhan Omar, Member of Congress;
• Ms. Annetta Seecharran, Executive Director, Chhaya Community Development Corporation;
• Ms. Zulfat Suara, Council Member At Large, Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County;
• Ms. Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia, Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Samuel Weiss Faculty Scholar; and Clinical Professor of Law, Penn State Law;
• Mr. Devon Westhill, President and General Counsel, Center for Equal Opportunity.

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