1. United States
2. Ind.
3. Letter

As a constituent living in Bloomington, I am writing to urge the Indiana Legislature to formally denounce the recent anti-Muslim remarks made by Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith. During a national broadcast, Lt. Governor Beckwith described Islam as a “demonic death cult,” stated he “hates” the religion, and called on Americans to have “permission to hate again”. These dangerous statements by the state’s second-highest-ranking official do not represent Hoosier values. They demonize tens of thousands of peaceful Muslim Hoosiers—including doctors, teachers, business owners, and first responders—and threaten their safety by fueling anti-Muslim rhetoric. Our elected officials have a responsibility to represent and respect all residents, regardless of their faith. By remaining silent, the legislature risks giving tacit approval to this bigotry. I urgently ask you to: 1 Speak out publicly against the Lieutenant Governor’s statements. 2 Reaffirm the state’s commitment to religious freedom and the safety of the Indiana Muslim community. Thank you for your time, leadership, and attention to this critical matter.