On March 27th, 2019, NYC Councilman of the 44th district, Kalman Yeger, tweeted that Palestine does not exist. In response to this expression of bigotry, erasure, and Islamophobia, several NYC Public Officials came out in opposition to the dehumanizing rhetoric of the councilman. They responded swiftly and officially removed Councilman Yeger from the Immigration Committee just yesterday, after several NYC council members rightfully recognized that someone with racist sentiments can not adequately serve the interests of immigrants, especially Palestinians and Muslims.
Majlis Ash-Shura of New York would like to extend immense gratitude to both NYC public officials and NYC residents who showed strong solidarity with the Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian communities of New York with the strong responses to Yeger’s racism. Additionally, we want to reiterate that removing those who espouse racist rhetoric from positions of influence and power is the most appropriate and correct response.
We must continue to stand together to eliminate racism and bigotry from society, and that must begin with holding our elected officials accountable and to the highest standards. Majlis Ash-Shura of New York urges any and all elected officials, especially those who opposed Councilman Yeger, to continue their stated commitment against bigotry, not just through their words, but for that commitment to be reflected in their policies as well.