Less than two weeks after the terrorist bombings in New Jersey and New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration is launching a new campaign against the “negative rhetoric targeting Muslim communities” that the city says gets worse after “terrorist incidents.”
A press release from the city on Monday explained the reasoning for the new anti-anti-Islam efforts: “Across the country, hateful speech has made Muslim residents the target of misguided attacks and threats, especially in the aftermath of terrorist incidents,” states a press release from the city.
The city is targeting Muslims for community outreach efforts, “including issuing a new multilingual fact sheet explaining protections against religious discrimination with a focus on Muslim communities and a new multilingual brochure on religious protections under NYC Human Rights Law with practical examples to identify discrimination in the workplace, housing, and public accommodations.”
On Monday, the city launched a new digital ad campaign that features pictures of Muslims with captions that read, “I am Muslim. I am NYC.” The ads continue in smaller print: “New Yorkers of all faiths deserve to live safely and free from discrimination. In NYC, it’s illegal to discriminate against or harass someone based on their religion or creed. #IAmMuslimNYC”
Next spring, the city’s Commission on Human Rights is launching a “citywide public information and integrated multiplatform marketing campaign on combating xenophobia and embracing religious diversity in New York City.” (RELATED: New York City Lets You Choose From 31 Different Gender Identities)
Then, in the summer and fall of next year, the commission is collaborating with other city agencies in launching a “toolkit for government agencies and non-profits to improve cultural competency with faith-based communities.”
“Now more than ever, it is important for every New Yorker to stand united as one city and reject hate and violence,” de Blasio said.
The press release from the city notes, “According to researchers and law enforcement officials, reports of attacks and threats against Muslims have surged nationally, most likely fueled by national and international terrorist attacks and political vitriol.”
The city previously spent $265,000 on a bilingual ad campaign to encourage transgender individuals to use the bathroom “consistent with who you are.” (RELATED: NYC Spends $265,000 Encouraging Men To Use Women’s Bathrooms)