What: Press Conference
When: Thursday, September 2, 2010 1:00 pm
Where: National Press Club 529 14th Street NW Washington, DC 20045
Why: The controversy over the Park 51 Project (Islamic Center in Lower Manhattan) is indicative of a general rise in racist bigotry towards people of color in this country. While the issue has its particular and unique distinctions, it cannot be separated from the rising violence against African Americans and Latinos, or the increasingly inflammatory rhetoric and exclusionary politics driving the national debate on immigration.

No single person or organization can be said to represent all American Muslims, but this hasn’t stopped the media turning Park51 into a potent
symbol.

By Michael M. Grynbaum - NY Times
The imam behind the proposed Islamic center near ground zero, Feisal Abdul Rauf, told a Middle Eastern newspaper that he believed election-year politics had stoked the debate over the project and blamed a “tiny, vociferous minority” for leading the opposition, in his most expansive comments yet on the controversy.

Dear UPF and 20,000 Dialogues Supporter,
The controversy over the proposed Community Center near Ground Zero has raised hate speech and misinformation about Muslims to a new high. Such divisive speech harms our nation and violates our highest principles.