Newark Mayor Cory Booker: I Would Never Have Allowed NYPD To Spy On Muslims In My City

Newark Mayor Cory Booker says had he known the New York Police Department was spying on Muslims in his city, he would never have allowed it.

“I have deep concerns and I am very disturbed that this might have been surveillance that was based on no more than religious affiliation,” Booker said by phone.

The Associated Press reported today that the NYPD conducted widespread surveillance of Newark Muslims as part of a counter-terrorism operation that has stretched across at least three states. While Newark officials are still gathering details, city leaders said that former police director Garry McCarthy was informed of the 2007 investigation and detailed a detective to provide a city tour to NYPD investigators.

“If there was reason to investigate, if there was cause, I have no problem with that,” Booker said. “But what I do have a problem with any surveillance that was done where the only provocation for that surveillance was religious belief. That, to me, strikes against some of my fundamental ideals as an American.”

By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.