Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi On Islamophobic Joe Ricketts Emails: “This Language And These Ideas Are Unacceptable"

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi issued the following statement in response to reports on the Islamophobic emails sent by Joe Ricketts:

"I am outraged to read about the Islamophobic emails written by Joe Ricketts. As a country, we need to send the message that this language and these ideas are unacceptable. There are strong forces in our country seeking to divide us and turn communities against one another. We are all Americans, and we all have the constitutional right to practice our religion free of government interference, but our society needs to demand acceptance and respect that go beyond that minimum standard. Muslim-Americans, and all Americans, should be able to live their lives and follow their paths of worship free of hate-filled speech and denunciations. Although the Cubs Organization has already distanced itself from Joe Ricketts' comments, I call on the Chicago Cubs organization to convene a meeting of leading Muslim-Americans in the Chicago area with members of the Ricketts family to engage in a constructive dialogue regarding the importance of religious freedom and respect in America."