On Sunday, April 29th, CAIR-Columbus Public Affairs Coordinator Usjid Hameed spoke at the 2nd Annual Interfaith March for Peace and Justice in downtown Columbus.
The Interfaith March for Peace & Justice is a nonpartisan event meant to affirm the freedom of religion and to condemn all acts of discrimination directed at people because of their religion, race, or place of origin. The March was initiated by a small group of people in Columbus, Ohio in April 2017 and has now spread to cities across the country. Hameed spoke about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) “Visa Lifecycle Vetting” program, formerly known as the “Extreme Vetting Initiative.”
The program is ICE’s plan to monitor Twitter, Facebook, and other parts of the internet via machine learning to automatically flag people for deportation or visa denial and poses a severe threat to all immigrants. Hameed encouraged attendees to call Senator Portman, who sits on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and ask him to work to halt the implementation and funding of the program.
View the action alert here: https://www.cair-ohio.com/urge-senator-portman-to-speak-out-against-visa-lifecycle-vetting-program/
“People from a multitude of faiths, races, and communities came out to show that we will not let hate and bigotry divide us,” Hameed said, following the event. “It is vital that we utilize this energy to hold our elected officials accountable by ensuring that they protect everyone’s rights, not just the majority’s. Hopefully, we can continue this March for years to come to ensure that Columbus remains a welcoming city.”
The march began at Genoa Park and ended at Gavel Park. Additional speakers included:
– Rebecca Brown with Peace Catalyst
– Greg Davis, founder of the Interfaith March for Peace and Justice
– Durya Nadeem with Peace Builders
– Malik Moore with the YMCA of Central Ohio
– Cantor Jack Chomsky with Congregation Tifereth Israel
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
** Photo courtesy of Rachel Joy Barehl, http://racheljoybarehl.com