February 12, 2015

Barack H. Obama
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President,
The members of our organizations are saddened by every act of violence inspired by extremism.
We unequivocally condemn those who resort to violence in pursuit of an extremist agenda. At
the same time, we must express our concern about the announcement of the upcoming White
House Summit on Countering Violent Extremism; the language points to only one type of these
offenses, and in doing so seems to single out American Muslim communities. In the end, that
focus alone will shed light on only a portion of extremist violence in our nation and around the
world, and will not be as effective in the important work of keeping our nation secure.
The Press Secretarys statement mentions only acts of violence perpetrated by individuals who
self-identify as Muslims, and it holds up as examples of prevention only CVE pilot programs
directed at American Muslims. As you know, studies by the FBI and the Southern Poverty Law
Center have shown that the overwhelming majority of terrorist incidents in the United States
were committed by non-Muslims, most with right-wing or eco-terrorist agendas. In the past
years, some of the most startling attacks have targeted a Sikh gurdwara, and a Jewish community
neither of these were perpetrated by Muslims. The bombing last month outside an NAACP
office in Colorado Springs, while still under investigation, may well turn out to be another act of
terrorism.
We understand the need to speak to the concerns and fears of Americans by referencing crimes
against communities that are fresh in peoples minds. In the process of reassuring the public, the
White House must be especially careful not to contribute to the marginalization of American
Muslims. By reinforcing the suspicion some individuals have of an entire faith community, the
Administration might inadvertently undermine the principles of religious freedom and pluralism
that are central to our national values and history.
Extremist violence is a concern we all face. We ask you to assure us that the focus of the
upcoming Summit on Countering Violent Extremism will be comprehensive, and to express that
assurance in a very public way.
Sincerely,
Advancing Justice - Asian Law Caucus
American Humanist Association
Asian American Legal Defense Fund
Auburn Theological Seminary
Bend The Arc: a Jewish Partnership for Justice
Brennan Center for Justice

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Church of the Brethren
Interfaith Alliance
Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights
National Council of Jewish Women
National Religious Campaign Against Torture
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A)
Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund
Sikh Coalition
Truah: The Rabbinic Call to Justice
United Church of Christ
United Methodist Church, General Board of Church and Society