Russell Simmons was at the frontlines with thousands of New Yorkers in a show of solidarity for Muslim Americans at the “I Am A Muslim Too” rally on Sunday in Times Square.
The rally was organized following President Donald Trump’s xenophobic rhetoric and controversial executive order that banned travelers from seven majority-Muslim nations. Simmons helped organize the event.
“We are here today to show middle America our beautiful signs and, through our beautiful actions and intention, that they have been misled. We are here unified because of Donald Trump. We want to thank him for bringing us together,” Simmons told the crowd.
The media mogul co-wrote a Huffington Post article last week calling for solidarity with Muslim Americans. Titled “Muslim Immigrants Are Among America’s Best,” the article emphasized the Muslim population’s contributions to the nation.
“We are focused on things that are not helpful to America, we’re using the Muslim community as a scapegoat,” he said during his speech at the rally. “We are being mean to the people who are the victims of terrorism. All of the diversity we see here today will prevail.”
Also in attendance were the likes of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, Chelsea Clinton, and rapper Q-Tip. According to CNN, “rabbis, imams, a Sikh, a Buddhist, Episcopalian and Presbyterian reverends, a Mennonite, a Seventh Day Adventist minister, a Hindu, and a Baptist pastor” were all set to speak–a diverse group of religious leaders emblematic of the hodgepodge of cultures at the rally.
