AAANY Statement on Appointment of Philip Eure as New NYPD Inspector General

Media Contacts:
Faiza Ali: faiza.aaany@gmail.com
Linda Sarsour:  lindasarsour@gmail.com  

(Brooklyn, NY – March 28th, 2014) The Arab American Association of New York welcomes the appointment of Philip Eure as the new NYPD Inspector General. The appointment of the first Inspector General for the nation's largest police force brings New York City one step closer to implementing necessary reforms that hold the New York Police Department accountable for it's discriminatory policies and practices.

For over a decade, the NYPD infiltrated houses of worship and community organizations and monitored constitutionally protected activities, all without suspicion of criminal activity. Muslims were deemed inherently suspect and our entire faith criminalized as a matter of policy by the NYPD.

Policing by profiling law abiding New Yorkers is a total disregard for civil rights and compromises the safety of everyone. It is not sound or effective policing and it must end.  Arab and Muslim New Yorkers call on the new Inspector General Philip Eure to prioritize an investigation of the NYPD's unwarranted Muslim surveillance program.