ADC Urges NRA to Withdraw Lt. Gen. Boykin's Invitation

posted on: Apr 10, 2012

After learning that the National Rifle Association (NRA) is hosting retired Lt. Gen. William “Jerry” Boykin as the keynote speaker of their annual meeting prayer breakfast later this month, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) took action by bringing the community’s concerns regarding Lt. Gen. Boykin’s long track record of anti-Muslim and anti-Islamic rhetoric and hate speech to the attention of the NRA by writing a letter to NRA President David Keene. The letter expressed ADC’s disdain regarding the association’s choice of a keynote speaker that supports bigotry and racism towards members of our community; and, called for Mr. Keene and the NRA to withdraw their invitation to Boykin and choose someone better suited to speak.

ADC President Warren David, as quoted in the letter, stated, “These statements are unacceptable and reflect Lt. Gen. Boykin’s disregard and seeming hatred of Islam and Muslims. Because the NRA is an organization that stands for the Second Amendment rights of all Americans and many Americans are Arab American and/or Muslim, I urge you to withdraw the invitation and cancel Lt. Gen. Boykin’s speech at your upcoming festivities. Doing so would reaffirm your commitment to protect the Second Amendment rights of the entirety of American citizens, including those Arab-American and Muslim citizens that chose to exercise their Second Amendment rights and also support the NRA.”

This action reflects ADC’s strong commitment to upholding and defending the civil rights of the entire Arab American community and to exposing those, like Lt. Gen. Boykin, who stand in opposition to part of our community.

<a href=”http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=jdi2ZOJoBY%2BTs8ICM8Hy9KQnWqwE6Qnp”>Read the full text of the letter to Mr. David Keene</a>