After the March 22nd terrorist attacks in Belgium, Republican U.S. Presidential Candidate Ted Cruz said law enforcement should be empowered to “patrol and secure Muslim neighborhoods before they become radicalized.” In defending the plan, Cruz cited former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg for his aggressive policing efforts, including the alleged targeting of Muslim neighborhoods for surveillance. Current New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYPD commissioner Bill Bratton held a press conference where they criticized Cruz’s proposal as “incendiary” and “foolish.”
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@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
No
@9GCMBQ9 1yr1Y
I have met many Muslims and am friends with enough to know that the vast majority of Muslims are not aggressive or have the ideals that the extremists do. They generally would say that those extremists just bring down the name they try to build for themselves.
@9G62X6Z1yr1Y
Due to, the fact that they have been the cause of many terrorist attacks, so I think they shouldn't be given more chances.
@9FY47NJ1yr1Y
If they can surveil Muslim communities, they can surveil any community. It’s also notable that Muslims are not a particularly significant statistical group in terms of terrorism in the United States. If this question was truly about trying to protect the country, then anyone who agreed with this should also approve of the monitoring of right-wing churches and community groups, which are a far more statistically relevant group in terms of terrorism.
@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
No, targeting Muslims is unconstitutional, racist, and incendiary
@9LVH8BR9mos9MO
Following the terrorist attacks in Paris in November 2015, a new wave of anti-Muslim sentiment rose up across the country. Governors declared they would refuse to accept Syrian refugees within their state borders. The House of Representatives passed a bill designed to halt the resettlement of Syrian and Iraqi refugees to the United States. Congress tightened controls in the visa waiver program by passing a law that enshrines discrimination against dual nationals of Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria, or anyone who has visited those countries in recent years — including the relatives of American citizens wanting to visit family.
Source https://www.aclu.org/issues/national-security/discriminatory-profiling/anti-muslim-discrimination
Some of the reasons that targeting Muslims is racist is because in the past people of the Muslim communities have committed bad crimes against the country.
@9FPD98Z1yr1Y
People and the news sometimes really only tells you what they want you to hear. You can hear a million things about Muslims and people of other races and religeons, but this does not mean that they're the way everyone makes them out to be. It's extremely unfair to judge someone and everyone that would fall under the said catagory without even putting the effort to getting to know the person.
@JonBSimConstitution2yrs2Y
Muslim isn't a race.
@99T7NPW2yrs2Y
When they say Muslim they are clearly referring to Arabic people in general. It’s incredibly obvious but even if this is not the case it is religious persecution and also unconstitutional and inherently racist
@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
Yes, and increase surveillance on all new immigrants
@9GXGKPY1yr1Y
Muslims are stained on the idea that all Muslims are terrorists, when in fact the black community proves to have the highest criminal activity and death rates out of all the communities. Peace is a pillar of Islam that all Muslims follow.
@9F9Q7Y21yr1Y
This is a prejudice approach. Surveillance should be based strictly on crime rates and history of criminal activity, no immigration status.
@9LVH8BR9mos9MO
It´s racist and stereotypical. If were going to say because of 911 or etc . We should say that for Christianity and Judaism because a lot of AMERICAN terrorist or these 2 religions too. Lets not forget what happen in Iraq and Iran and Syria and PALESTINE. MOST OF MIDDLE EASTERN COUNTRIES THAT ARE NOW SUFFERING FROM ARE CHRISTIAN OR JEWISH PRESIDENT.
@9JT2KPS11mos11MO
Increasing surveillance on a neighborhood or community in general because of a religion is a violation of the non immigrant US Muslim citizens and their first amendment right. Even if they aren't legal but still pay US Taxes ,I believe its still an encroachment of privacy and is prejudice motivated.
@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
Yes
@9FTQ2GV1yr1Y
just because muslims targerted us during 911 doesnt mean that all muslims are bad. not every human has bad intetions or motives just because of there race/culture.
@99T7NPW2yrs2Y
Racist
@9FPD98Z1yr1Y
My best counter argument to the "yes" position on Muslim Surveillance would be to switch the roles. Imagine if you were put into the situation where just people you believed in a specific thing, looked one way compared to the others, had a "bad rep" because of something that you didn't do, you are treated and seen as some sort of "monster" that is contantly surveillanced and watched over. How would that seem fair to you? It doesn't. No matter what you could say, it's very cruel and unjust to treat someone one way because they're different from you.
@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
Yes, until the frequency of terrorist attacks by Muslim extremists decrease
@9GCMBQ9 1yr1Y
Muslims deserve as much respect and dignity as provided to any other religious group. It would be unjust to treat a group differently because there are extremists in those groups as they are still American citizens no matter what.
@9GCYKJB1yr1Y
Muslims are responsible for most, if not all, terrorist attacks across the world. We cannot simply trust that they won’t commit acts of terror because they live in America.
@9GCMBQ9 1yr1Y
That is not what I was implying. Any American is capable of committing heinous crimes but the fact is, is that a Muslim citizen in America deserves the same rights and dignity that any other citizen should.
@9GDH68H1yr1Y
Any type of group in society can have a negative trait associated with them, so why should Muslims be unique in terms of policy?
@9FPD98Z1yr1Y
I still find this an ignorant argument. I understand where the person can be coming from, but at the same time Muslims are just people. Just because of something that has happened does not mean that every person is going to be that way and it's honestly extremely unlikely for the person to be exactly like the last. At the end of the day, we are all just people, we shouldnt be treated differently for that.
@9FTQ4J81yr1Y
Terrorists actions can destabilize the government and harm people, but not all Muslims are terrorists and we should monitor Muslims neighborhoods because of it.
@8Y6KCD43yrs3Y
Yes, and local police should increase surveillance and patrol of all neighborhoods with high crime rates regardless of race or religion.
@4PWL4TS4yrs4Y
Their should be no Muslim neighbourhoods as they breed terrorism and intolerance as we have seen in Europe. Immigrants should be evenly distributed throughout the country and forced to integrate with the current population.
@d3bates4yrs4Y
No, targeting Muslims is unconstitutional, Islamophobic, and incendiary and would provide ISIS with ammunition to accuse the U.S. of a conspiracy against Islam
@4PLZY2B4yrs4Y
Muslim neighborhoods? what is this nazi Germany?
@4PRG5DS4yrs4Y
No, more attacks are commited by Christian fanatics
@4W4SHWV4yrs4Y
We shouldn't even allow "Muslim neighborhoods", there should only be "American neighborhoods". Anyone who has demonstrated an unwillingness to adopt our culture should be expelled with great haste. Diversity is NOT our strength.
@4TXL84Y4yrs4Y
Yes. Islam is NOT a religion, it is a socio-political ideology masquerading as a religion. No problem at all banning it.
@JonBSimConstitution2yrs2Y
“Islam is NOT a religion”
It is a socio-political ideology...which is tied to a theological structure.
Almost like communism.
@woah-what4mos4MO
are you able to tell me the definition of islam? not yours, but the ones in dictionaries and books.
@4PN6YBG4yrs4Y
yes we are being invaded from within all we have to do is listen to briton communities and see what will happen here, the united states was based on christianity that is why most immigrated here those who immigrate to the u. s. need to intigrate within our communities, celebrate thier religions and customs but realize they have moved to a christian nation and respect our way of life and not try to change us or we will retaliate with a vengance
@sophmiller20043yrs3Y
The US was founded on immigrants and people of different cultural backgrounds. We should accept people for who they are and where they come from. We are all human after all.
@8RB2K9DIndependent4yrs4Y
@4PP4LXS4yrs4Y
No, just an illusion to create fear among the people and to bring about their new world order by bringing in martial law as a facade to protect the people when they are actually stripping us of our rights...they are just using a twisted cult of a religion such as Islam to do it..
@4PKT9DK4yrs4Y
All neighborhoods presenting a high probability of violence and crime should have increased patrols. The race and or religion makeup of those neighborhoods should not play a role
@4PZ6W3J4yrs4Y
Yes until they actively and publicly show they are against these atrocities. Just think - if Jews or Christians were cutting off people's heads, raping children there would be an outcry against that behavior by their respective leaders and members. We don't see that condemnation by Muslim leaders.
@546SBLY4yrs4Y
Yes, but only if their neighborhoods are proving suspect, or if they're showing legit higher crime rates. But it is incendiary and racist. It needs to stop. Perhaps cash-incentivizing Muslims to turn in fellow Muslim terror suspects.
@JonBSimConstitution2yrs2Y
“racist”
Muslim isn't a race.
@Renaldo-MoonGreen 3mos3MO
Racism also applies to religions
@5446QWQ4yrs4Y
No, Muslims should increase self defense and resist police occupation
@4PPC7LK4yrs4Y
Neighborhoods with increased violence require increased surveillance no matter who lives there.
@59LZY994yrs4Y
No, government surveillance of muslim communities send a message to the public that muslims are collectively guilty for acts of terror. This leads to an increase of hate crimes against american muslims because it creates an "us vs. them" dichotomy. this Dichotomy also is counterproductive because it legitimizes the message of radical groups that "the United states is an enemy of islam" because this enemy creation works both ways.
Additionally there is no statistical evidence that proves any correlation with the teachings of islam and propensity to violence. In fact, the majority of terror attacks in the US are carried out by radical right wing groups such as the sovereign citizen movement. Therefore, focusing on muslim communities would divert finite resources from other, more effective means of counterterrorism.
@4PYDJ884yrs4Y
As one who is not blind to the fact that it isn't anyone but Muslims who are blowing themselves up and committing modern acts of terrorism I cannot deny I would feel safer if there was greater watch over Muslim communities. However, because so very few of all Muslims actually possess the propensity to commit such acts that I can't justify discriminating communities of Muslim Americans in such a way.
@4Q27D474yrs4Y
No, But law enforcement should be allowed to criminally profile, not racially profile.
@4PL3N374yrs4Y
No, targeting Muslims is unconstitutional, racist, and incendiary. However patrols should increase to improve relations in the Muslim community.
@4XKBDJYLibertarian4yrs4Y
Wider latitude for action by highly trained individuals. the average police officer has too low of an IQ to be trusted
@4PMDWQR4yrs4Y
Only if they look sketchy. Constantly patrolling them will just make them angry and cause them to be more sneaky.
@57YSJXV4yrs4Y
No, but ALL violent ideological adherents and associated organizations should be under surveillance. This includes some but not all interpretations of Islam and Christianity.
@4XJCVSD4yrs4Y
Do you people even know the difference in a Muslim and a Wahhabi Muslim?
@4PZT8P94yrs4Y
no, just because a few Muslims have made bad choices doesn't mean they are all bad.
@4PYYD574yrs4Y
Conduct more SIGNIT and HUMIT activities while working together with Muslim leaders to properly educate the muslim population about Islam. Take a look at the Singaporean system e.g MUIS and ISD
@4PTGW8Z4yrs4Y
Increase funding for homeland security.
@4PP2YZK4yrs4Y
We need to include more Muslims into the fabric of society so they feel safe enough to tell us about potential threats.
@4PLT4TH4yrs4Y
No, increase surveillance of all neighborhoods with a high crime rate.
@4PKPPNK4yrs4Y
We should work with the Muslim community to identify potentially radically Muslims.
@99GKR3Q2yrs2Y
Yes and asian nieborhoods
@5496J8S4yrs4Y
being a devout mainstream Muslim is not compatible with modern civilization. polygamy, the 5 daily prayer sessions, ramadan fasting, sharia law just don't fit in!
@545GLYV4yrs4Y
There should be a head Christian, Jew and Muslim in the United States government to set an example of human decency and verbally make statements for that religion for the public's understanding of esch of these religions. Without communication the mission statement of any religion can be skewed to promote violence by criminally minded opportunists. Instead, raise bar centrally by having each large religion vote for a higher up we then direct our concerns to in our multi-ethnical country.
@4WRGD5R4yrs4Y
Not until we find reports of Sharia Law being practiced in said neighborhoods.
@4PT67XS4yrs4Y
If needed to show that Sharia Law does not apply in those neighborhoods
@4PLN5VT4yrs4Y
Yes, this would also protect legal law abiding Muslims
@4PRG4H44yrs4Y
@8TDPNJHRepublican4yrs4Y
Yes, and local police should increase surveillance and patrol of all neighborhoods that have high crime rates.
@9S2PG435mos5MO
Local police have a lot to deal with as it is. Surveying Muslim communities Should be A priority, but only if there is legitimate fear from informants, citizens, Or investigators that there is a legitimate fear from the Muslim community that there are those planning an act of terror or engaging in acts that violates laws of locality, state, or the federal government. If there is none of this concern, then their efforts should be dedicated to surveying and patrolling high crime neighborhoods.
@4PWC5BL4yrs4Y
Again-- asking such an imperial question- those who cast the quickest reply are doubtful the most considerate.
Certainly there should be vigilant consideration and factors should be considered which seem to increase the possibility of such occurring. Vilifying an entire religion premised that this is the only threat to the America people is asinine and foolish. It not only justifies those already angry folks who look for a scapegoat but creates a panic for those who are frightened. It causes hysteria. Causes panic. Eliminates long term thinking needed when processing critical consequence.… Read more
@4PSKB7N4yrs4Y
This is another extremely difficult question to answer. I would guess that 90% of all Muslims who enter the US are decent citizens with no desire to injure or otherwise damage people and places in this country--and the number of innocents may be even higher than that. The crux of the matter is that a few Muslims may enter the country with a specific mission to destroy, harm and otherwise wreck the peace and security of this nation. Thus, careful scrutiny of what may be fake passports must be maintained, and background checks carried out on those who would enter this country from Muslim locations--before they are permitted to enter.
@4PRQ6P34yrs4Y
Until the Muslims have cleaned up the own neighborhoods and mosques and have acculurated to American way of life. No Dearborn antics. Then the police are going to have to assist in monitoring their communities. Once they have taken responsibility for themselves like adult citizens and shown themselves to be trustworthy citizens as a group then the police will no longer need to monitor them. So the responsibility is on the Muslims to clean their own house or have big brother looking down their necks.
@4PND42V4yrs4Y
There is a difference between terrorist and American Muslims
@4PLWJF44yrs4Y
Yes, If there is enough evidence that a particular neighborhood has been shown to have residents with extremist ideologies
@4PLSM5X4yrs4Y
Why are there "Muslim" neighborhoods? Police surveillance should be proportional to the degree of criminal activity in any neighborhood.
@4PLQ5FC4yrs4Y
No, we should not be allowing any government surveillance of private US citizens.
@4PLM4NN4yrs4Y
The Muslim community should be encouraged to monitor within themselves for behaviors that may be signs of extremism
@4PLKRGD4yrs4Y
only if there is suspect of a cell living in the neighborhood
@4PLJ8394yrs4Y
Yes, but use surveillance agencies specializing in detecting radicalization or ideologically motivated crimes rather than local police departments
@4PLGQTR4yrs4Y
No they should perform their jobs the same regardless of the race
@4PLFYLS4yrs4Y
If I were Muslim, I'd welcome the increased protection--unless, of course, I were a terrorist.
@4PL7XZZ4yrs4Y
No, there are other ways that can help. This method has been proven to not work.
@4PKTBCC4yrs4Y
No, unless the authorities receive solid information to support such surveillance.
@4PKS8PC4yrs4Y
An increased police presence, not meaning surveillance. An increased police presence in the form of community officers gives the police a better idea of what is going on in a neighborhood. People begin to trust the officers and are more open to talking to them openly.
@4PKNBR54yrs4Y
Yes but not because they are Muslims...but because the unrest and destructive forces are mostly from the Muslim community.
@4PKKSWQ4yrs4Y
Only if said Muslim neighborhood has been having suspicious activity that qualifies it for increased surveillance
@4PKK6FY4yrs4Y
Give the NSA an enhanced targeted budget to set up an anti terrorist unit. Knowledge is everything.
@583SZ7Y4yrs4Y
Since Islam is not a religion it should be banned and no Mosques allowed.
@9DV8L9V1yr1Y
No, unless there is a threat triggered by national security
@8XRWY343yrs3Y
Yes, and Islam should be considered a threat the United States, as it is primarily a opposing political system that poses a danger the USA.
@97XB7ZZ2yrs2Y
No, targeting Muslims is unconstitutional, racist, and incendiary. We should base it on crimes rates instead of race or religion
This question should be removed. It is both racist and degrading to the Muslim community. Additionally, surveillance and patrol should be increased in any area based on crime rates.
@95MD3YX2yrs2Y
Yes, and police should increase surveillance and patrol of all high-crime neighborhoods
@937HGK43yrs3Y
Yes but police should increase surveillance and patrol of all high crime neighborhoods
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