Fri 22 Sep 2006
[KR: This isn’t about immigrants in particular, but I’d imagine that a good portion of these “Muslim donors” are first- or second-generation immigrants. Interesting to see how the liability of a candidate being Muslim may be similar, or even worse, than those faced by racial minority candidates]
Interviews with donors suggest Muslims from all over the country have sent money to Ellison’s campaign, both to help elect a Muslim and because they like his stance on the issues.
“I’m Muslim myself, and so I think that’s important, but more important than that is his bringing people together across religious, racial and age spectrums,” said Jeffrey Hassan, a lawyer from Brooklyn Park, Minn., who has give Ellison about $800. “I think that’s more important than the fact that he’s Muslim.”
[..]
Parvez Ahmed, chairman of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a civil rights group, said Ellison’s election would be a milestone for Muslim Americans.
“Every other community wants someone from their community to be part of the mosaic that represents the country,” said Ahmed, who teaches finance at the University of North Florida and gave Ellison $500. “He would be a voice for people who don’t have representation in Congress.”
May 22nd, 2007 at 6:24 am
I am in total support of immigrants staying in this country and receiving a green card. When you look at the overall picture, these are hard-working people who do a lot of good for this country already. All the immigrants I have ever met (legal or not legal) have been made to be scared by “white” America and if given the free chance to speak we would learn a lot of culture and respect for family from them. Also statistics show that “white” America still commits more crime, so that cannot be the problem. I totally support anyone who is fighting for the rights of these folks who are just looking for a better life for themselves!