Muslim leaders gathering at the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office today are demanding a full-scale, formal investigation into the New York Police Department’s surveillance in 2007 of the religious community in Newark and elsewhere.
“We want them to take it seriously and to know that the civil rights of the Muslim-American community have been violated and these are serious allegations going on and we do want a full-scale investigation,” said Nadia Kahf, chairwoman of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in New Jersey.
The meeting among religious community leaders and state and federal law enforcement authorities was called this week to address growing outrage over the NYPD’s surveillance of Muslim businesses and student groups in New Jersey in 2007. The activity was first reported last month by the Associated Press.
State Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa has said he is reviewing the matter, but so far has stopped short of opening an investigation. The surveillance has been condemned not only by the Muslim community, but also by Newark Mayor Cory Booker, who said he was unaware of the activity, even though his police department was involved.
Gov. Chris Christie has called the surveillance “disturbing” but has otherwise focused his attack on New York Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, saying he does not respect jurisdictional boundaries and has kept New Jersey authorities in the dark. Christie, who was U.S. attorney in New Jersey in 2007, said he was unaware of the NYPD’s surveillance in Newark.
The meeting today is expect to last a few hours. There is no formal news conference scheduled, although many of the Muslim community leaders in attendance are expected to make statements at the conclusion of the summit.