Advocacy Groups Condemn Hallandale Beach Commissioner Anabelle Lima-Taub for anti-Muslim statements

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 16, 2019

Florida – Commissioner Annabelle Lima-Taub’s recent statement promoting fear mongering and anti-Muslim hate is both dangerous and disappointing. Emgage is absolutely appalled by her statement.  Like most forms of hate, Islamophobia is ongoing and systemic and has plagued, dehumanized, and marginalized communities for decades. It is our hope that Commissioner Lima-Taub will take this opportunity to rise above hate, apologize for, and retract, her slanderous anti-Muslim remarks about Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, and stand in solidarity to help build a more equitable and inclusive society. We welcome her to join us at any one of our community centers and trust that she will gain a more informed view of the Muslim community.

The following is a statement by Thomas Kennedy, Political Director of Florida Immigrant Coalition:

“Floridians won’t stand for Commissioner Anabelle Lima-Taub hateful, Islamophobic comments, not in such a vibrant and diverse community. The election of the nation’s first two Muslim women to what is now the most diverse Congress in history should be celebrated. Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib doesn’t deserve these xenophobic attacks because of her religion — nobody does. We join advocates across the country in demanding she apologize for her attacks on a sitting Congresswoman. We must hold our elected officials to a higher standard.”

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For more information, please contact:

Rummi Khan, media@emgageaction.org, 312.608.4426

Ammar Ahmed, ammar@emgageusa.org, 561.420.3690

Melissa Taveras, melissa@floridaimmigrant.org, 786.663.6690

Emgage seeks to educate, engage and empower Muslim American communities through educational events, voter initiatives, and leadership development for the purpose of creating a community of equitable, knowledgeable, and motivated citizens

The Florida Immigrant Coalition is a statewide alliance of over 60 member organizations, including farmworkers, students, service providers, grassroots organizations and legal advocates, who come together for the fair treatment of all people