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Congressman Keith Ellison Breaks Down During Testimony at King's Hearing
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Mar 10, 2011
Modified Mar 10, 2011
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By
Christopher Robbins
Published Mar 10, 2011
Modified Mar 10, 2011
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Joseph McCarthy's Rep. Peter King's hearing on "Muslim radicalization" began with the moving testimony of Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minnesota), one of two Muslims in Congress. Ellison broke down during his moving testimony in which he described the sacrifice of Mohammed Salman Hamdani, a Muslim and first-responder who perished on September 11, 2001 and was later the subject of unfounded rumors that he conspired with the hijackers.
"Hamdani was a fellow American who gave his life for other Americans," Ellison testified. "His life should not be identified as just a member of an ethnic group or just a member of a religion but as an American who gave everything for his fellow Americans."
Politico notes that "the hearing was largely even-handed and generally respectful," which makes sense because besides 47 year-old "Young Gun" House Majority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA), most Republicans are smart enough to keep their distance from the genesis of exclusion laws and other specious steps towards codified discrimination. Now perhaps Congressman King can return to writing the next Great American Novel.
Tagged
Congress
discrimination
islam
muslims
peter king
republicans
september 11
terrorism
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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