The following statement may be attributed to Kevin Keenan, Executive Director, ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties.

“The unwarranted scrutiny of the American Muslim community by law enforcement and other government officials puts our freedoms of religion, speech, and association at risk. These fundamental freedoms occupy a special place in our society and in the Constitution. They define who we are as a country.

Though the danger posed by terrorists is real, Congress must distinguish between First Amendment-protected ideological beliefs – whether considered radical or not – and criminal terrorist activity or plots. Only the latter may properly be the subject of official investigation.”