In more news related to Republican Presidential hopefuls making statements seen by many as bigoted, racist and ungrounded in fact, the Twitterverse has responded to Ted Cruz’s suggestions following yesterday’s attacks in Brussels. From the Washington Post:
Reacting to Tuesday’s terrorist attacks in Belgium, Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz proposed a strategy for America: “We need to empower law enforcement to patrol and secure Muslim neighborhoods.”
Cruz’s spokeswoman said police already track areas where, for example, they suspect gang activity. But Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, along with the Anti-Defamation League and other organizations, responded Tuesday that tracking citizens because of their religion is very different from tracking potential criminal behavior and is unacceptable.
And what about those who live in so-called Muslim neighborhoods? On Twitter, their reactions, some hilarious and some heartfelt, told Cruz just what they see on the ground in the places where they live.
Some of those tweets are included below. Follow – and contribute to – the Twitter feed at #MyMuslimNeighborhood.
Featured image: tweet from St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York
More coverage: Minnesota Public Radio’s NewsCut blog, the Detroit Metro Times
In #MyMuslimNeighborhood, we stand side-by-side against bigotry, hate, and intolerance. pic.twitter.com/RJ9FCbaWwP
— S. Hadi Qazwini (@HadiQazwini) March 23, 2016
In my #MuslimNeighborhood we get a little ridiculous in front of the camera when we get bored on Sundays pic.twitter.com/C4lCbegbzr
— Suehaila Amen (@SuehailaAmen) March 23, 2016
In #MyMuslimNeighborhood u will find us joining forces with superheroes 2 fight evil & ignorance @SenTedCruz pic.twitter.com/YyFFbTgUyH
— Suehaila Amen (@SuehailaAmen) March 23, 2016
.@tedcruz Salaam/Good evening!I cordially invite you to share a wonderful vegetarian pizza in #MyMuslimNeighborhood. pic.twitter.com/Kqw1MIeO4A
— Rim-Sarah Alouane (@RimSarah) March 23, 2016
In #MyMuslimNeighborhood ,somtimes, you’ll catch church bells ring,while the Muslim “call to prayer” echos,together. pic.twitter.com/G1GtmXIjvE
— Morpheus (@BaRaK313) March 23, 2016
I’ve always wanted to have a neighbor just like you. #interfaith #loveyourneighbor #MyMuslimNeighborhood pic.twitter.com/XsjpRDChJ6
— Rachael McNeal (@RachaelKMcNeal) March 23, 2016
…we respect and understand each other in #MyMuslimNeighborhood, and look past our religious/non-religious beliefs.
— beatpunk (@beatpunk) March 23, 2016
In #MyMuslimNeighborhood, we make care packages for the homeless. pic.twitter.com/OdQMd5ZzVM
— Sarah Chandler (@chandlersarah3) March 23, 2016
In #MyMuslimNeighborhood of Jackson Heights, #Queens we live, work, eat, and play together. pic.twitter.com/RGvjRe6lq4
— St. Mark’s Church (@Saint_Marks) March 23, 2016