Schakowsky condemns statements of Louis Farrakhan

Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky released the following statement in response to the recent anti-Semitic comments of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan:

“I am appalled by the statements of Louis Farrakhan and condemn him for once again fanning the flames of anti-Semitism. At a time where the Anti-Defamation League tells us that anti-Semitic incidents rose by 57% last year, those remarks are particularly dangerous. There should be no place in our society for those words.

“During the height of the civil rights movement, Dr. King told us that “History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people.” The same is true today. None of us – including members of Congress – should be silent in the face of anti-Semitism. Each of us has a responsibility to speak out against bigotry and hatred.

“At the same time, I condemn those who are trying to score political points over this issue. My colleagues who are being attacked by the Republican Jewish Coalition have spent a lifetime opposing anti-Semitism, homophobia, misogyny, and racism. I know that they will continue working against discrimination wherever and whenever it occurs, and I will work with them to renew and expand those efforts.”

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