Monday, August 23, 2010

Statement by Roy Innis in Opposition to the "Ground Zero Mosque"

The Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) stands and declares its solidarity with the large and diverse groups of individuals and organizations who oppose the building of a mosque in the vicinity of the destruction of the World Trade Center (Ground Zero.) This terrorist attack on America is the most present and traumatic event since Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7th, 1941. It is painfully fresh in the minds of all Americans and peace loving people world wide.

We are strong supporters of the religious rights guaranteed by the 1st Amendment. We are also aware of the rights of private ownership of property. But we are equally aware of the need to balance these rights at times with the general welfare of society. This balancing act is guided by the principle of eminent domain which was recently reaffirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court. It was unfortunate that President Obama ignored the need for the balancing of these principles.

We welcome Governor Paterson's proposal to seek an equitable solution through the application of these competing principles, and we offer our assistance to him. It's also unfortunate that the developers do not understand that the building of this mosque will be seen as a monument to the perpetrators and supporters of the September 11, 2001 terror attack. The developers must realize that their stated purpose of bringing people together by building this mosque is being defeated before one brick is laid.