Jerrold Nadler is Shameful and Divisive

For Immediate Release
August 11, 2010
From Susan Kone For Congress
Contact: Susan Kone 212 579-9090


Rep. Jerrold Nadler has it reversed: it is he who is being shameful and divisive toward people in the Eighth Congressional District—including those who lost loved ones in 9/11.

Mr. Nadler says: "As an elected official who believes strongly in the separation of church and state, I contend that the government has no business deciding whether there should or should not be a Muslim house of worship near Ground Zero. And, as a representative of New Yorkers of all faiths and cultures, I find the singling out of Muslim-Americans— because of their faith—for animus and hate to be shameful and divisive.”

Mr. Nadler is misrepresenting this issue and misrepresenting the views of many people in the Eighth Congressional District—and his tendency to misrepresent is the main reason I am opposing him in the upcoming November election.

I side with the feelings of the families of the victims of 9/11. It’s not a question of religious freedom. It’s not a question of the right to build a mosque. It’s a question of a very, very poor choice of location.

A representative from Mr. Nadler’s office described those speaking in opposition to the mosque as engaging in “hate speech.” But theirs isn’t hate speech; it’s sensitivity speech. It’s an honest expression of their feelings—a passionate plea for respect and understanding.

Unfortunately, Mr. Nadler not only doesn’t listen. But he demonizes and marginalizes members of our community who espouse a different view from his.

It’s another example of what Mr. Nadler has done throughout his 18 years in Congress. Unfortunately, he is out of touch with the sensitivities and the needs of the people of the Eighth Congressional District.