Columbus Ohio Police Officer’s Racist, Anti-Semitic Video Remarks

CAIR-OH

Posted Aug 28, 2007      •Permalink      • Printer-Friendly Version
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CAIR-OH CONDEMNS OFFICER’S RACIST, ANTI-SEMITIC VIDEO REMARKS


(COLUMBUS, OH, 8/28/07) - The Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) today condemned racist and anti-Semitic comments made by Columbus Police Officer Susan L. Purtee in two Internet video clips.

In one of the nearly nine-minute video clips, Purtee expresses her admiration for Senator Joseph McCarthy as “the greatest man in U.S. history.” She also states that “as long as you’re a Jew you have that feeling that everyone is beneath you.”

The second offensive video clip focused on African-Americans and what Purtee and her sister call the “Ebonics Plague.” They commented that educated, influential African-Americans are disliked by other African-Americans because they “use syllables to speak.”

SEE: Columbus Cop Rails Against Minorities in Internet Videos

“We respect the constitutional right to free speech, but we also recognize that police officers must be held to a higher standard of conduct than ordinary citizens,” said CAIR-Ohio President Dr. Asma Mobin-Uddin. “Bigoted rhetoric of this kind may tarnish the reputation of the entire police force and should not be tolerated by city officials.”

Columbus Mayor Mike Coleman has expressed his personal disapproval for Officer Purtee’s conduct and has asked the Department of Public Safety to review whether it constitutes conduct unbecoming an officer. The Department of Public Safety has committed to begin an immediate investigation with the Division of Police and a consultation with the City Attorney.

CAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 33 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil liberties, and empower American Muslims.

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