Tlaib offers tearful rebuke to anti-Muslim comments from Boebert
By Hanna Trudo - 12/08/21 03:42 PM EST
Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) provided a tearful rebuke to the recent Islamaphobic sentiment on Capitol Hill following Rep. Lauren Boebert's (R-CO) incendiary comments likening Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) to a violent foreign terrorist.
In a Wednesday afternoon press briefing, Tlaib, often choking back tears, said the anti-Muslim speech is inspiring violence in communities with Muslim populations living peaceful lives.
“It is hard being a Muslim in our country right now, and this makes it worse,” Tlaib said before turning the heat directly to Boebert.
“You called a colleague a suicide bomber, you called her a terrorist," she said. "By saying that you said it about all Muslims in our country and you know it. You knew exactly what you were doing. And you have to be held accountable.”
Tlaib, a progressive, called herself a “Muslimah” – the word for a Muslim woman — in her address to reporters. She is just one of three Muslim members currently serving in Congress.
The Michigan liberal was joined by fellow Reps. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass), who convened the press conference, and other “Squad” members, as well as Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
“You know I get emotional,” Tlaib said, addressing Pressley in tears.
more
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/584959-tlaib-offers-tearful-rebuke-to-anti-muslim-sentiment-on-capitol-hill
