Ted Cruz Calls for Patrolling of Muslim Neighborhoods

In the wake of this morning’s horrific attacks in Brussels, the Cruz campaign released this statement:
“Today radical Islamic terrorists targeted the men and women of Brussels as they went to work on a spring morning. In a series of coordinated attacks they murdered and maimed dozens of innocent commuters at subway stations and travelers at the airport. For the terrorists, the identities of the victims were irrelevant. They – we — are all part of an intolerable culture that they have vowed to destroy.
For years, the West has tried to deny this enemy exists out of a combination of political correctness and fear. We can no longer afford either. Our European allies are now seeing what comes of a toxic mix of migrants who have been infiltrated by terrorists and isolated, radical Muslim neighborhoods.
We will do what we can to help them fight this scourge, and redouble our efforts to make sure it does not happen here. We need to immediately halt the flow of refugees from countries with a significant al Qaida or ISIS presence. We need to empower law enforcement to patrol and secure Muslim neighborhoods before they become radicalized.”

 
“Patrol and secure Muslim neighborhoods before they become radicalized.” What does that even mean? How do you even detect Muslim neighborhoods? What would this patrolling and securing entail? At least be specific, Mr. Cruz.

As we have said before, “Muslim” is not synonymous with potential threat. Cruz’s statements only contribute to paranoia and bigotry.

Religious freedom is one of the greatest American ideals. If this was carried out, wouldn’t this be totally unconstitutional, totally disregarding the First and Fourth Amendments? Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, commented:
“Ted Cruz’s proposal is dangerous, hateful and un-befitting of one of the leading presidential candidates. We believe that all Americans should condemn that anti-Muslim proposal because it is anti-American and it is unconstitutional. We believe that Ted Cruz is a religious zealot running for president in the United States making biased and hateful statements [about] American Muslims because of their faith.”
It’s despicable how he tried to make political gains off of a tragedy. It’s pathetic how he imitated the Drumpf tactics of hate and fear-mongering. You can’t preach about the evils of Drumpf ideology and then turn around and use it for yourself. Consistency is key, Cruz.
Desperate and calculating, but, as seen by the swift backlash and criticism, still failing miserably.