US Muslims' views on free speech

Visit our News page “Americans United to Defend Free Speech” Please sign our Open Letter to Congress and the State Legislatures! Most Americans have never heard of the OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation). They’ve never heard of UN Resolution 16/18. They’re unaware that Europeans have been charged—and even been convicted—for speaking out against the threat of radical Islam. They don’t know that a survey found that 6 in 10 Muslims in America believe criticism of Islam and Muhammad SHOULD BE PROHIBITED. Or that 45% of American Muslims surveyed believe that those who criticize Islam should face criminal charges. These are not Muslims in Saudi Arabia. They’re our neighbors here in America. Last night, in a national webcast, we announced “Americans United to Defend Free Speech.” Guy Rodgers, ACT! for America Executive Director, documented a long list of threats to free speech, which can be seen on our website. But the most organized threat—UN Resolution 16/18—is actually getting help from our own State Department. (See the Forbes article, “Could You Be a Criminal? US Supports UN Anti-Free Speech Measure.”) A recent headline in a Saudi Gazette article makes it clear how the OIC views UN Resolution 16/18: “OIC gears up to get denigration of religions criminalized.” There is a rapidly growing chorus demanding the muzzling of free speech, both internationally and in America. This is why we have launched “Americans United to Defend Free Speech.” Step One of this effort is our Open Letter to Congress and the State Legislatures. This letter calls on Congress and the state legislatures to introduce and pass resolutions opposing the implementation of UN Resolution 16/18. Over the next few months, we need tens of thousands of concerned citizens to sign this letter. Tens of thousands. Hundreds of thousands would be even better. We need to awaken people everywhere. And we need to show our elected officials that we are dead serious about opposing this threat to our First Amendment right of free speech. For some time now ACT! for America has been monitoring the growing worldwide demand to suppress speech that supposedly “defames” or “offends” Islam. This demand to criminalize free speech can no longer be ignored. We can’t ring the alarm bells loudly enough. Please don’t assume that the restrictions on speech that exist in Europe or Canada can’t ever happen here. Join us today for Step One of our campaign to oppose the criminalization of free speech by signing our Open Letter. Then forward it to everyone you know. And stay tuned! Thank you. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ACT for America P.O. Box 12765 Pensacola, FL 32591 www.actforamerica.org ACT for America is an issues advocacy organization dedicated to effectively organizing and mobilizing the most powerful grassroots citizen action network in America, a grassroots network committed to informed and coordinated civic action that will lead to public policies that promote America’s national security and the defense of American democratic values against the assault of radical Islam. We are only as strong as our supporters, and your volunteer and financial support is essential to our success. Thank you for helping us make America safer and more secure. The news items, blogs, educational materials and other information in our emails and on our website are only intended to provide information, news and commentary on events and issues related to the threat of radical Islam. Much of this information is based upon media sources, such as the AP wire services, newspapers, magazines, books, online news blog and news services, and radio and television, which we deem to be reliable. However, we have undertaken no independent investigation to verify the accuracy of the information reported by these media sources. We therefore disclaim all liability for false or inaccurate information from these media sources. We also disclaim all liability for the third-party information that may be accessed through the material referenced in our emails or posted on our website. HOW CAN I TELL OTHERS ABOUT YOUR ORGANIZATION? Send a personalized version of this message to your friends. HOW CAN I SUPPORT YOUR ORGANIZATION? Click here to give an online donation.