(Philadelphia, PA 5/15/09) – The Philadelphia Chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-PA) today calls on Pennsylvania Muslims and all people of conscience to tell Senator Specter his participation in a D.C. conference hosted by several well-known Islamophobes doesn’t represent you.
On Tuesday, May 19, 2009 Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA) is scheduled to give the opening speech at a conference titled “Libel Lawfare: Silencing Criticism of Radical Islam” hosted by the Middle East Forum, a right-wing think tank founded by Daniel Pipes, a prolific Islamophobe.
CAIR-PA recognizes Sen. Specter’s First Amendment rights to free speech and association, but as a grassroots organization we also have the right to voice our displeasure and hold our elected officials accountable for the audiences they choose to address while in office and the groups upon whom they confer legitimacy through their presence.
ACTION REQUESTED: We ask all concerned citizens and people of conscience who reside in Pennsylvania to send a message to Sen. Specter that his participation in this and other similar events is not the way to win the moderate votes he is seeking in next years election by:
1) Visiting our website to sign our online petition (now closed); and
2) Calling his Washington D.C. office on Monday, May 18th.
Washington D.C. Office Main: 202-224-4254
