press release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

News from Progress Michigan

April 25, 2018

Contact: Sam Inglot, 616-916-0574, sam@progressmichigan.org

Republican Gubernatorial Candidates Must Denounce Islamophobia

Patrick Colbeck spewing lies about Dem candidate’s religion cannot go unanswered  

MICHIGAN — Progress Michigan is calling on Republican gubernatorial candidates, especially Lt. Gov. Brian Calley and Attorney General Bill Schuette, to denounce the lies and Islamophobia coming from State Sen. Patrick Colbeck.

Buzzfeed reports that Colbeck spoke before an anti-Muslim group and made anti-Muslim and false claims about Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed’s family, among other Islamophobic statements.

“It’s imperative that gubernatorial candidates denounce this type of bigotry and fear-mongering, especially Calley and Schuette because they’re both sitting elected officials. Patrick Colbeck’s statements cannot go answered by people from his own party,” said Lonnie Scott, executive director of Progress Michigan. “The Republican Party for too long has danced with Islamophobia in public and private and it needs to end. Michigan should be a place where everyone is welcomed, regardless of how they worship.”

Calley and Schuette are no strangers to controversy with bigotry and Islamophobia. Schuette supported Donald Trump’s Muslim ban in early 2017 and Calley stood by while Gov. Rick Snyder fear-mongered about Muslim refugees.

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