Green Party US Releases Briefing Paper on Islamophobia
The paper is a guide for use by Green candidates and activists.
The Green Party of the United States (GPUS or Greens) is a green political party and is the country's fourth-largest by the membership, which promotes environmentalism, nonviolence, social justice, participatory grassroots democracy, gender equality, anti-war and anti-racism, Green Party US reported.
The paper debunks and deconstructs misinformation in the popular narrative about Muslims and Islam and suggests concrete steps which Green candidates and activists across the nation can take to defend human rights and freedoms against unconstitutional encroachment.
"It is great that the Green Party is tackling Islamophobia head on by using this paper as a tool to debunk many myths and misconceptions that have plagued so many political party organizations," said Farheen Hakeem, former co-chair of the Green Party of the United States and the first Muslim leader of a national party with FEC recognition in US history.
"It's important for folks to read and understand this paper as we enter a time period where Muslims are targeted perhaps more than any other group. Post Trump America is more frightening than post 9/11 America for Muslims," said Ahmed Eltouny, second vice chair of the Green Party of New Jersey and alternative delegate to the party's National Committee.
The paper is a collaboration between two veteran Green Party organizers. George Friday is former co-chair of the Green Party of North Carolina, a board member of Move to Amend, a life-long organizer, and longtime anti-racism trainer. Hugh Esco is current co-chair of the Georgia Green Party and a two-time candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia.
Esco initiated the project when anti-Muslim rhetoric was on display during the 2016 presidential election. The paper is built on extensive research on Islam and deals with the bigoted response to it by reactionary political forces in the US and Western Europe.
"This nation has a long history of demagogic political rhetoric. It is a tired old tactic to appeal to voter fears and ignorance which unfortunately still seems effective at winning elections," said Esco.
"Those in power have repeatedly appealed to this nation's racism to divide working people and to maintain control of the wealth our labor provides," said George. "We hope this research will help Green Party activists across the country interrupt the hateful narrative and the spectrum of violence it enables."
The paper summarizes research on a $200 million industry of propaganda designed to tarnish people based on their faith.
Source: Islamic News
