Several hundred people gathered in Times Square to protest against the planned congressional hearings on the "radicalisation" of American Muslims, which have been convened by Republican Congressman Peter King.
Battling heavy rain, some 300 people, led by religious and community leaders, on Sunday demonstrated and held up placards saying, "Today I am a Muslim too" and "Mr King: Lies & Distortions do not make us more secure".
The hearings start from Thursday.
King, who is chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, had told The Jewish Week that the objective of these hearings 'is not to demonise the Muslim community, but to attempt to find out the extent to which the enemy has infiltrated the community."
He said that Al Qaeda was recruiting Muslims in the US.
"They can't attack from outside, so they are recruiting people under the radar screen."
Deborah Maurice, who is part of the group called 'NYC Coalition to Stop Islamophobia', said, "As a non-Muslim, I'm offended that some people are being targeted because of their religion.... it is offensive."
Maurice noted that Muslims were being "demonised" so that the US could justify its wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. "And now maybe Libya too," she said.
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