Your right to free speech has been endangered by an unexpected source, Congressional Republicans.
Recently introduced, H.R. 257, postures itself as a bill to combat hate crimes, but in reality, achieves nothing but potentially eroding our first amendment rights.
The United States already has strict laws on the books that protect against hate crimes, so one reasonably asks, “why do we need this new resolution?”
Yes, this particular legislation is merely a “resolution” or a formal statement by a legislative body, but might the continued discussion of this matter really seek to prepare us to slowly move toward the next step in the process and expand the concept of what actually constitutes a “hate crime,” – perhaps to include speech that some may find offensive?
In fact, its bent is quite the opposite and could end up landing you in federal court for espousing a politically incorrect opinion.
We’ve seen this before. The last Administration worked together with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on the U.N. Human Rights Council Resolution 16/18, which seeks to suppress free speech, if such speech is offensive to Islam. Could that be the ultimate reason why groups like EMGAGE and MPAC were so happy to work hand-in-hand with Rep. Comstock on this issue?
That collaboration, frankly, is more concerning than the potential effects of this resolution.
Though sponsored by four Republicans (and a predictable laundry list of Democrats), the House resolution, introduced by Republican Congresswoman Barbara Comstock of Virginia, was drafted by two Islamic terrorist-linked groups.
Rep. Comstock herself has a disturbing pattern of kowtowing to some of the most dangerous Islamists in America.
Immediately following the electoral landslide of President Trump, Rep. Comstock went on an apology tour that would make actions by President Obama look Reaganesque.
Why? To comfort Muslims who were frightened after the election of President Trump.
Rep. Comstock chose the terror-linked All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) Center as a venue for Islamic outreach.
Six months after 9/11, federal agents raided the ADAMS Center during the largest investigation of terror-financing ever conducted in world history, on suspicion it was providing material support to Al-Qaeda.
Following the raid, current ADAMS Center Chairman, Ahmad Totonji, was indicted, and subsequently named as a defendant in a $1 trillion lawsuit filed by more than 600 surviving relatives of victims who had died in the 9/11 attacks.
Chairman Totonji was also Deputy Secretary General of the World Assembly of Muslim Youth, whose U.S chapter was founded by Osama Bin Laden’s nephew, Abdullah Awad Bin Laden.
Working with Congressman Comstock (according to posts on their social media pages) were two terror-linked groups called “EMGAGE” (formerly EMERGE) and the radical Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC).
Recently, the Department of Homeland Security decided that MPAC was not worthy of receiving federal grant money that former President Obama had planned, given their terror links.
Over the years, EMERGE has held a number of events at terror-linked mosques, like: Masjid Al-Qassam (Islamic Community of Tampa), founded by Palestinian Jihadist leader Sami al-Arian, and Masjid Darul Uloom (based in Pembroke Pines, Florida), where “Dirty Bomber” Jose Padilla studied and the al-Qaeda Global Operations Chief Adnan el-Shukrijumah was a prayer leader!
EMERGE has also sponsored anti-Semitic speeches made by various Muslim terrorists, such as Sayed Ammar Nakshawani, who has called for the destruction of Israel.
EMGAGE crowed about their work on the legislation and thanked Senator Rubio, alongside others for their assault on free speech, after the Senate resolution passed unanimously back in April.
“Thanks to the hard work of Senator Marco Rubio, Senator Dianne Feinstein, Senator Susan Collins and Senator Kamala Harris we have achieved the approval of Senate Resolution 118, an anti-hate crimes bill drafted by Emerge-USA.”
And they did the same about the House resolution.
“Representative Barbara Comstock, second term Republican from Virginia’s 10th District is teaming up with EmergeUSA and MPAC to successfully pass a House Resolution which condemns ethnic, religious and racial hate crimes….”
We expect this from the progressive left, but in the case of this House resolution, the language was introduced by a Republican, and that is simply intolerable.
I’m fed up with politicians acting against the promises they made to those who elected them, while subsequently working with America’s enemies to weaken our nation.
If you’re as fed up as I am, I urge you to do more than just vent your outrage on social media.
I urge you to call and email your Senators and Congressmen, to let them know exactly what you think of legislation that was authored by two proven terror-linked groups.
While you’re at it, ask why taxpayer dollars are being spent on legislative language that already exists as law, if not to curb your right to free speech.
Unless we let our leaders know that we’re prepared to throw them out of office for their alliance with America’s enemies, we can expect this danger to continue.
Brigitte Gabriel is a terrorism analyst and a two times New York Times best-selling author of “Because They Hate” and “They Must Be Stopped”. She is the Founder and Chairman of ACT for America, the nation’s largest grassroots organization devoted to promoting national security and defeating terrorism.