A group of over 50 progressive organizations, including People For the American Way, sent a letter to Rep. Peter King yesterday expressing concern over King’s plan to hold hearings targeting American Muslims. The letter states, “While we all take the threat of terrorism seriously, we see no productive outcome in singling out a particular community for examination in what appears to be little more than a political show-trial.”

Read the full letter here (PDF).

“We all agree on the need to protect Americans,” said Michael Keegan, President of People For the American Way, “But holding McCarthy-esque hearings targeting an entire community of citizens is no way to go about doing that. Rep. King has made no secret of his disdain for Muslims as a group and has repeatedly peddled unsubstantiated claims about the supposed failure of American Muslims to cooperate with law enforcement. We’re concerned that these hearings will provide a high-profile platform for misinformation and fear-mongering, while doing nothing to illuminate the facts behind violent extremism.”

###