Senate Judiciary Hearing Derailed with Racist Attacks on Civil Rights Leader Maya Berry, Undermining Efforts to Address White Supremacy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mattie Goldman, [email protected] 

WASHINGTON — Maya Wiley, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, released the following statement after the racist remarks directed at Maya Berry, executive director of the Arab American Institute and co-chair of The Leadership Conference Hate Crimes Task Force, at today’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on hate crimes: 

“Today the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee took up a critical issue for our democracy and the safety of her people — hate and bias. But disturbingly, some senators chose to derail it with hate-filled rhetoric and stereotypes rather than examine what real people are experiencing and what lawmakers should do about it. Hate crimes in this country have increased at alarming rates, and white supremacy and ethno-nationalist extremism are a threat to our multiracial democracy. At a time when leaders should be helping to create greater understanding, dialogue, and unity, we instead have seen the adoption of divisiveness.

“Some committee members elevated unfounded claims that serve to elevate and legitimize dangerous stereotypes of Arab Americans and Muslims in remarks directed at Maya Berry, executive director of the Arab American Institute and co-chair of The Leadership Conference Hate Crimes Task Force. In her testimony, Ms. Berry discussed how white supremacy is a threat to all of us, including those who are Arab American, Asian American, Black, disabled, Jewish, Latino, LGBTQ+, Muslim, or Palestinian American — and for that she was the target of disgusting smears. She spoke truth about what we collectively face at a time when we need to recognize how we are linked.

“We condemn in the strongest terms these horrific comments about an Arab American woman leader — a leader we know and work alongside to support a beloved community and vibrant democracy — and in one instance dehumanize her. We will not repeat the remarks themselves. They deserve no repetition. We demand a public apology to Ms. Berry and to all those targeted by this dangerous demonization simply for being Arab American.

“We want to be crystal clear: Antisemitism is real, and we must confront it — together. Hiding behind the very real concern we should all have for our Jewish community cannot be allowed to mask vile bigotry. What is also clear is that anti-Arab racism is real as evidenced by today’s hearing. That too must be confronted and condemned. We will not tolerate hate of any kind, and we know that the greatest threat to all of our precious communities is the hate and fear mongering that, in this instance, targeted our Arab American communities.

“Ms. Berry spoke about solidarity across communities and the action that our government can take to dismantle hate. She reminded all who would listen that we must unify, acknowledging both the abhorrent murders of members of the Tree of Life Synagogue and of Wadea al-Fayoume alike. The pain of these communities deserves the deepest compassion and respect. They got neither. These senators did not respect their pain, stories, or fight for justice. Words are not just words, and when elected officials use their platforms to further dehumanize vulnerable groups, they give implicit approval for their supporters to respond with violence and hate.”

In May 2024, The Leadership Conference Education Fund released Cause for Concern 2024: The State of Hate (Updated May 2024), which notes the rise in white supremacist hate incidents tied to the last four general election cycles. The report documents the need for public officials to speak out against hate and refrain from appeals to bigotry, as well as the failure of social media companies to adequately address disinformation and hate speech on their platforms.

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 240 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.

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