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Muslim Advocates Stands Up Against Hate in Arizona and South Dakota

This week, Muslim Advocates sent letters to officials in South Dakota and Arizona regarding their participation and support of events with anti-Muslim hate groups.

South Dakota

In South Dakota, Attorney General Marty J. Jackley and Secretary of State Shantel Krebs attended a meeting about the “history of Islam” on May 6, 2017 that was hosted by the American Congress for Truth (ACT!) for America.[1] ACT! for America has a well-documented history of perpetuating offensive racial and religious stereotypes about Islam and Muslims. Numerous elected officials and community leaders have discredited and repudiated ACT! for America after learning more about the gross inaccuracies and biases driving their work.

Arizona

In Arizona, the Arizona Police Association held an event for law enforcement officers on May 16-18, 2017 that featured a training led by known conspiracy theorist and anti-Muslim activist John Guandolo titled “Understanding and Investigating the Jihadi Threat.” According to news reports, the seminar was funded by a grant from the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and was being hosted at Mesa Police Department’s training facility.[1]

Guandolo has a well-documented history of conducting inflammatory trainings that perpetuate offensive racial and religious stereotypes about Islam and Muslims. Numerous law enforcement organizations and community leaders have discredited and repudiated Mr. Guandolo’s trainings after learning more about the gross inaccuracies and biases driving his work. No local or state departments should be providing support or funding for a training that is so blatantly offensive and dangerous.

You can read the letters here:

News coverage: