Durbin: Anti-Muslim Bigotry Has No Place in America

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – After attending an interfaith peace vigil last night at the Islamic Society of Springfield, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the Senate Floor today to commend Springfield’s faith and community leaders for joining together to speak out against inflammatory rhetoric directed at refugees and Muslims. In his remarks, Durbin also condemned a recent increase in hate crimes and other anti-Muslim bigotry and praised his Senate colleague, U.S. Senator Jeff Flake (R-AZ) for sharing a similar message of tolerance in his home state over the weekend.

“Last night in Springfield, Illinois – a typical Midwestern American city – there was a gathering of people from all across the city at 5:30 on a Sunday night. It was a gathering at the Islamic Society of Springfield,” Durbin said. “There was standing and sitting room only. It was a huge outpouring of support for our Muslim brothers and sisters in the Springfield community. There were representatives of virtually every religion present and many spoke. Rabbis, ministers, Catholic nuns and even a few elected officials. Trying let our friends know in the Muslim community that despite some of the things that have been said over the last few weeks by presidential candidates we, in fact, embrace them as part of the American family.”

Video of Durbin’s remarks is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s remarks is available here.

Footage of Durbin’s floor remarks is available for TV Stations using FTP in high definition here and in standard definition here.

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