For Immediate Release August 15th,2017

The American Muslim Leadership Council (AML Council) is deeply troubled by the news of the violence in Charlottesville.
Peaceful counter-protesters were run over, with a number injured and one protester, Heather Heyer killed. The counter protesters were peacefully protesting an Alt Right event held to protest the removal of civil war statues in Charlottesville. A number of racists and white supremacists were involved in the protest in Charlottesville.

The American Muslim Leadership Council (AML Council) believes that there is a right to protest and a right to counter protest, peacefully. The holder of every view, no matter how vile, under our Constitution and laws, has the right to peacefully express it. While we condemn racist speech, we urge all Americans to be guided by our democratic and constitutional values that have a very high ceiling for protected speech.

The American Muslim Leadership Council (AML Council) affirms that racism, hate, violence and terror recognizes no race, ethnicity, color, faith, or nationality. It’s a blind statement against our common human decency and our core human values. This act of hate and violence bear no justification under all circumstances. This tragic encounter serves as a reminder that hate divides us and hate compromises the strength of our rich American diversity and the values we hold dearly in America.

Aml Council strongly condemns the violence that resulted in the death of an innocent activist, Ms Heather Heyer. We send our condolences to her family and wish the injured speedy recover.

“Racism and hate is simply un-American,and stands against the values of the American Society, We must all work together to continue to bridge the gap between us ” said Imam Helmi El Agha , AML COUNCIL Executive Director. “We condemn racist speech and violence,” said Imam El Agha, AML Council, with Partnership with Kissimmee Care Foundation will hold an event on September 11th, 2017 to honor our fist responders, remember the victims of 9/11, and I would like to try to take the opportunity on that day to have an open discussion among community interfaith leaders, law enforcement partners, educators, community members at large, and government representatives on that day. The loss of a Ms. Heyer is a very sad day for the nation, as a reminder that we ALL must work together to bridge the gap.

​For more information contact Aml Council Executive Director Imam Helmi Abufarah Elagha
3219489958
Imamabufarah@gmail.com