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Civil rights group files suit in federal court over New York Police Department's Muslim surveillance program
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And the back of the book segment tonight on Muslim advocacy group was strong ties to the Obama administration is now suing.
The NYPD.
Over its spy program.
The new York city police launched the undercover spy operation after 9/11 targeting Muslims and new York New Jersey and Connecticut.
Yesterday eight New Jersey Muslims filed a federal lawsuit directly challenging that program.
To find out that the New York police department actually.
Took photographs of our mothers.
Our children.
And those individuals that come into Robert our business is.
Has created an atmosphere where there's certainly an undue suspicion that has been cast upon the entire Muslim community.
Joining us now from Chicago is not -- -- he's the director of the Chicago chapter.
Of the Council On American Islamic Relations.
Off man it's great to see you look this is.
Is this sensitive topic for I I understand Muslims and also offer non Muslims in America given what happened on 9/11.
-- given what we have tried to avert and -- way of other terror attacks.
I know you're familiar with the attempt to blow up the New York City Subway where we found out of course after our investigation that.
A queen at queen's in mom.
Was tied to that plot and where they would be terrorists -- outside that mosque that was the focal point.
Of their meetings and their plot to blow up the New York subway system given that background that I just touch the surface of it.
Why if you're an American Muslim -- law abiding people as most of overwhelmingly they are why would you be upset about what the NYPD is doing.
Precisely because we are overwhelmingly law -- it does not make sense first of all this program is unconstitutional.
It's also an American.
Essentially the programs cross an ocean to avoid this kind of religious harassment as one of the plaintiffs actually said.
And you know this program was targeting.
Individuals and and essentially entire community.
Restaurants businesses mosques cab drivers veterans -- school groups.
We were going after criminal leads us law enforcement ought to do.
Or after suspiciously but rather its entire community based solely on the religious affiliation and political opinions.
Do you believe there's a compelling state interest and protecting the security of the United States of America.
Absolutely and I believe that this is not the way it should be done.
So when we know for a fact that whether we're talking about the man who plotted to blow up Fort Dix in New Jersey.
The New York City Subway plotters that the would be terrorists who met at the Albany mosque -- several years ago.
The fact that we know that al-Qaeda and Al qaeda's affiliates.
Use the platform on the mosque to recruit.
And to radicalize and to gain adherents and supporters and sometimes money by the way those cases there are well documented.
That the NYPD should just say okay mosques are off limits.
No they should say that where there is a criminal lead at that particular institution.
We can obtain a warrant and can search -- wiretapping -- do what's necessary to keep.
Americans safe we all we know for a fact is you.
You used the word fact the fact is the overwhelming majority of -- in this control law abiding the fact is Muslims have been at the forefront.
Helping law enforcement abort and avoided terror plots in New York in New Jersey and elsewhere around the country.
And we ought to look at the most and community as a partner we cannot extend and -- -- to say your partner -- the same time -- the other hand.
-- wiretapping or surveying or having you know illegal spying activity.
You know you lose trust.
-- -- -- -- -- And with all due respect you don't determine whether something's illegal I don't determine whether something is illegal or unconstitutional.
A court of law guys and it judge will determine I think -- great care given.
Given what's at stake and our country.
I I think a judge will determine I hope with great care what is and what is not content.
As additional eyes there remains a lot of a lot out.
That's why there's a lawsuit because lawsuit is trying to get that question answered by.
But you know a court judge it's not up to Fox News or tuchman recovered to care.
To determine that question that's precisely why this lawsuit is -- we we all have a vested interest in keeping this country safe Muslims and non Muslims alike and it never -- We appreciate it -- my.
