A Republican representative of the Lone Star State had a very specific message for Muslims visiting her office on Texas Muslim Capitol Day: Declare allegiance to the United States and “renounce Islamic terrorist groups.”
In recess with the House until Monday, State Rep. Molly White wrote on her Facebook page that she left instructions with her employees on how to greet Muslim visitors. “I did leave an Israeli flag on the reception desk in my office with instructions to staff to ask representatives from the Muslim community to renounce Islamic terrorist groups and publicly announce allegiance to America and our laws. We will see how long they stay in my office,” White wrote on Thursday morning.
Thursday in Austin marked Texas Muslim Capitol Day, an event organized by the local chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. The group on its website describes the activities as “an opportunity for community members to learn about the democratic political process and how to be an advocate for important issues.”
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In an earlier post the same day, White wrote that “Texans must never allow fringe groups of people to come here so that they can advance their own culture instead of becoming an American and assimilating into the American way of life. That, I can assure is not the intent of most Muslims who move to America.” She also posted the link to her Twitter account.
White could not immediately be reached for comment by msnbc. But a staff member who answered the phone at her office recited a statement White left for the media. In her comment, she welcomed all constituents who are interested in visiting her office. “As a proud Texan and American,” she continued in her remark, “I fully denounce all terrorist groups or organizations whose intent it is to hurt and destroy the great state of Texas and our nation.”
White also issued a follow-up statement to her Facebook posts, which gained hundreds of remarks, writing: “I do not apologize for my comments above. If you love America, obey our laws and condemn Islamic terrorism then I embrace you as a fellow American. If not, then I do not.”
About 100 Muslims on their way to White’s office on Thursday reportedly faced opposition from a small group of protesters outside the capital building, according to The Texas Tribune. Individuals held signs that read: “Radical Islam is the new Nazi,” and “Go home & take Obama with you.”
As group of Muslims gather for Texas Muslim Capitol Day at #txlege, these protestors are nearby pic.twitter.com/Vs5DnmhBEf
— Alexa Ura (@alexazura) January 29, 2015
Michele Richinick