The title of Muslim Day at the Capitol this year says a lot: Action Trumps Fear.
More than 700 people are expected to turn out for the sixth annual event hosted by the California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Organizers expect higher engagement within the Muslim community than past years largely due to President Donald Trump.
“The election of Trump and the campaign in general kind of reignited a spirit of justice within the community that was very much dormant,” said Yannina Casillas, legislative and government affairs coordinator for the organization. “A lot of people are really interested in getting more involved.”
A week after the inauguration, Trump attempted to make good on campaign promises with the first of two executive orders blocking citizens of several predominantly Muslim countries from entering the U.S. Both orders have been halted by federal judges, despite strong push back from the administration.
The full day program at the Capitol today includes a press conference at 11 a.m. to highlight several bills in the Legislature that the council supports.
Casillas said the council is a sponsor of Senate Bill 31, also known as the California Religious Freedom Act. The bill bars state and local governments from establishing their own or aiding in the creation of a religious registry that includes someone’s national origin or ethnicity. The council also supports Senate Bill 54, which bars state or local law enforcement from using their resources to help federal immigration enforcement. Another measure, AB 158, attempts to establish more accurate reporting of hate crimes.
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