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Congressional Members Call for an Investigation of NYPD/CIA Efforts to spy on Muslim Communities in New York

December 20, 2011

Congressional Members Call for an Investigation of NYPD/CIA Efforts to spy on Muslim Communities in New York

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Judy Chu, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Congressman Bobby Scott, CAPAC Civil Rights Taskforce Chair, and Congressman Mike Honda, CAPAC Chair Emeritus, released the following statements regarding a letter they sent to the House Judiciary Committee and the U.S. Department of Justice calling for a hearing and an investigation of the New York Police Department after the Associated Press revealed that the NYPD and CIA collaborated on efforts to spy on Muslim communities in the New York City area. The letter was signed by 34 Members of Congress, including the Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Committee and eight Members of the House Judiciary Committee.

Rep. Judy Chu (CA-32), CAPAC Chair

 “These are very serious allegations against the NYPD and CIA, and in the interest of all Americans, they must be thoroughly investigated.  We cannot allow the explicit profiling and targeting of Muslim Americans by the very people who are tasked with protecting and serving their community. As Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and a Member of the House Judiciary Committee, I call for a full investigation and hearing on these matters to bring the truth to light and ensure that police complied with the very laws they aim to uphold.”

Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-3), CAPAC Civil Rights Taskforce Chair

“We were greatly concerned about media allegations suggesting that the New York Police Department, in conjunction with the Central Intelligence Agency, has been collecting this information.  We call on the Department of Justice and the House Judiciary Committee to investigate these allegations and shed more light on this situation.”

Rep. Mike Honda (CA-15), CAPAC Chair Emeritus

“I am deeply concerned by reports that the NYPD and CIA are engaging in activities that violate the civil and constitutional rights of Muslim-Americans.  I know that public safety must be of the utmost concern to enforcement agencies.  I also know that we must not single out a group based solely upon their ethnicity or religion, especially when such actions undermine the sanctity of the Constitution and the security of our homeland.  As Chair Emeritus of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, I call for an informed, precise and moral inquiry into the actions of the NYPD and CIA.”

Read the letter to the U.S. Department of Justice

Read the letter to the House Judiciary Committee

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The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) is comprised of Members of Congress of Asian and Pacific Islander descent and members who have a strong dedication to promoting the well-being of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Currently Chaired by Congresswoman Judy Chu, CAPAC has been addressing the needs of the AAPI community in all areas of American life since it was founded in 1994.