The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights joined with the Jewish Action Alliance and other civil rights organizations in condemning the hatred of spokesmen for the Nation of Islam. The following remarks were delivered at a press conference on January 25th in New York City.
Dr. William A. Donohue, president of the Catholic League, listed the League’s concerns:
“The Catholic League is delighted to join with the Jewish Action Alliance and other civil rights organizations in denouncing the hatred and bigotry of spokesmen for the Nation of Islam. Louis Farrakhan has had plenty of time to respond to the Nazi-like speech that Khalid Abdul Muhammad delivered at Kean College on November 29th, but has thus far refused to do so.
“Mr. Muhammad’s speech was indistinguishable from the rantings of Nazis and Klansmen over the years. Blaming Jews for every conceivable social ill, and casting Jews as one big cabal working to undermine liberty, is something right out of the Third Reich. The statements made about Catholics, and especially Pope John Paul II (e.g. ‘somebody need [sic] to raise that dress up and see what’s really under there’), were vile and disgusting. Similarly, the comments made about whites and homosexuals were equally irresponsible.
“Unless Mr. Farrakhan quickly moves to silence Mr. Muhammad, the public will have no other choice than to assume complicity on the part of the Nation of Islam itself.
“The Catholic League is proud to join with the Jewish Action Alliance in bringing down the wrath of public opinion on Mr. Muhammad. If amicable relationships are to be maintained among the multiplicity of racial, ethnic and religious groups that constitute the United States, the men and women of good will must register their outrage at those who would sow the seeds of racial and religious hatred .”
