Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-IL) on May 6 introduced a resolution “condemning bigotry and violence against Arab Americans, Muslim Americans, South Asian Americans and Sikh Americans,” a press release by counsel to the senator said.

Sen. Durbin said the resolution he introduced with Sen. John Sununu (R-NH) and Russ Feingold (D-WI) recognizes that members of these communities greatly contribute to American society and serve honorably in the military and law enforcement, urges respect for civil rights and civil liberties, condemns bias-motivated crimes against members of these communities and calls upon federal and local law enforcement to prosecute such crimes vigorously.

Excerpts from Sen. Durbin’s Statement:

“Arab Americans, Muslim Americans, Sikh Americans, and South-Asian Americans are an important part of America. Like other ethnic and religious groups, they and their ancestors came to this country seeking political freedom and economic opportunity. They have flourished, making great contributions to our society every day. They are armed service-members, law enforcement officers, teachers, doctors, lawyers, and businesspeople. They are leaders in American society, including members of Congress and Cabinet members.

“Tragically, in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, some misguided bigots turned against Arab Americans, Muslim Americans, Sikh Americans, and South-Asian Americans, singling them out as targets for violence and threats of violence. Hate crimes against these communities, including violent physical assaults, sharply increased. The Federal Bureau of Investigation reports that the number of anti-Muslim incidents rose 1600 percent from 2000 to 2001, largely due to this post-9/11 backlash.

Sen. Durbin said the resolution he introduced with Sen. John Sununu (R-NH) and Russ Feingold (D-WI) recognizes that members of these communities greatly contribute to American society and serve honorably in the military and law enforcement, urges respect for civil rights and civil liberties, condemns bias-motivated crimes against members of these communities and calls upon federal and local law enforcement to prosecute such crimes vigorously.

“In response, countless Americans came to the support of Arab Americans, Muslim Americans, Sikh Americans, and South-Asian Americans, condemning the attacks and embracing the affected communities. At that time, I introduced a resolution, which was unanimously approved, condemning bigotry and violence against Sikh Americans. For example, a man who law enforcement believe was motivated by anti-Arab sentiment allegedly shot four people to death in New York City during February and March. President Bush has declared that major combat operations in Iraq have ended, but hate crimes against Arab Americans, Muslims, South-Asian Americans, and Sikhs continue. For example, at the University of California, Los Angeles, someone recently poured pig’s blood on Muslim prayer rugs in an interdenominational chapel. The FBI is investigating the incident as a bias-motivated crime. Hate crimes against these communities are wrong and un-American. We must condemn them in the strongest terms, and law enforcement must investigate and prosecute vigorously the perpetrators.

“Sadly, Arab Americans, Muslim Americans, Sikh Americans, and South-Asian Americans are also increasingly concerned that the federal government views them with suspicion, and that they are being subjected to heightened government scrutiny as a result of their national origin or religion.

“I believe that discriminatory counterterrorism tactics, or those that violate civil liberties, are not only wrong, but they do not make our country any safer. Singling out a large group of mostly innocent Arabs, Muslims and South Asians squanders precious law enforcement resources and alienates communities whose cooperation we need.

“The resolution I introduce today recognizes that Arab Americans, Muslim Americans, Sikh Americans, and South Asian Americans, greatly contribute to American society and serve honorably in the military or law enforcement, urges respect for civil rights and civil liberties, condemns bias-motivated crimes against members of these communities, and calls upon federal and local law enforcement to prosecute such crimes vigorously. “I urge my colleagues to support it.”

(Compiled from a press release by

Arvind Padmanabhan)