ADC Condemns Hateful Actions of Florida Congressional Candidate

posted on: Oct 13, 2009

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is shocked and appalled by the actions of Mr. Robert Lowry, Congressional candidate for Florida, District 20. According to an AP Report, last week during a weekly GOP Meeting at a gun range Mr. Lowry dressed shooting targets in a Kaffyieh, the traditional Arab headdress.

The actions of Mr. Lowry are irresponsible and play into stereotypes harmful to this nation by vilifying a significant portion of the American population. ADC called on Mr. Lowry to issue an apology.

The State of Florida, particularly the District Mr. Lowry hopes to represent has a significant Arab and Muslim American population. Many of these community members have been in Florida for generations, and a large amount are politically active and engaged. In the aftermath of these actions ADC received a number of phone calls from such individuals who expressed concern over the actions of Mr. Lowry.

National Executive Director, Kareem Shora said “Such actions are dangerous and malign an entire culture, not only fringe elements of a specific culture. Mr. Lowry should be more responsible with his actions, particularly if he hopes to represent his District in Congress.”

Also on the targets were the initials of Congresswoman woman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the current incumbent in Florida District 20. ADC calls on Mr. Lowry to issue an apology to the community, in line with the apology issued to Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

ADC asks community members in the 20th District of Florida to call the Lowry for Congress Campaign and express their concern.