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A metropolis councilperson in Palm Bay, Florida, is refusing to apologize to outraged members of his neighborhood for claiming those that observe Islam “do not belong” in the US.
Chandler Langevin, a Republican, offended some individuals in the neighborhood final month after writing on X that Islam “exists for the sole purpose of conquering Christendom and ending the Jewish people” and, subsequently “they” don’t belong in America.
Langevin was responding to a publish from a Florida state senator who’s supporting a invoice that will shield public officers’ privateness by eradicating their addresses from public data. The state senator claimed two “Muslim terrorists” made “death threats” on his house.
“Exactly. We have similar concerns as I have no issues saying that Islam exists for the sole purpose of conquering Christendom and ending the Jewish people as well and they do not belong in this great nation,” Langevin wrote.
On-line, individuals criticized Langevin, however he doubled down with, “I said what I said.”
Even in individual, neighborhood members confronted the town councilman for his assertion, with one woman calling it “racist foolishness.”
“Do not drag the beautiful city of Palm Bay into your racist foolishness,” the girl stated on the metropolis council assembly. “That an entire population of individuals should be banned from this country? That’s the most asinine thing I’ve ever heard, especially out of a local commissioner.”
However Langevin nonetheless refused to apologize, claiming there was “nothing wrong” along with his assertion.
“I said that the ideology of Islam, particularly the political component does not belong in the United States, there’s nothing wrong with saying that. So no, I’m not going to apologize,” Langevin stated.
The First Modification of the U.S. immediately permits individuals the liberty to apply faith with out authorities interference.
Christianity is the dominant faith practiced within the U.S. however Judaism and Islam rank quantity two and three.
On X, Langevin incorrectly claimed that Islam will not be peaceable and is “as much a political ideology as they are a practice of faith.” He additionally claimed stated Muslims had been “taking over Christian nations across Europe and implementing their political ideology.”
This rhetoric is usually utilized by conservatives to disclaim Muslims spiritual freedom or safety.
Throughout President Donald Trump’s first administration, he and different lawmakers used related arguments to justify a journey ban on Muslim-majority international locations.
The Southern Poverty Regulation Heart stated that anti-Muslim teams and other people can “cherry-pick” passages from the Quran to make Islam seem extra violent or misread how Muslims observe Sharia legislation – the ethical and authorized framework that informs how Muslims ought to behave – to make it seem to be Islam is attempting to take over.
