Anthony Weiner: “I just want to join the leaders of the communities in expressing strong opposition to this amendment. This is not an…”

“I just want to join the leaders of the communities in expressing strong opposition to this amendment. This is not an academic issue in New York City. We had a circumstance after September 11 where FBI agents fanned out into the neighborhoods doing interviews at corner stores in Arab American communities. And the FBI was required to notify the INS anytime they found anything untoward. The word spread within hours, and I think the gentleman from the Bronx would acknowledge this, spread within hours, do not cooperate, do not give the information. The FBI in the City of New York turned to the NYPD and said since they have a trustful relationship with many of these recent immigrants, can they go conduct these interviews. And a lot of the information that was gathered, including some about threats to blow up the Brooklyn Bridge, was gathered that way. So from a law enforcement perspective, this amendment has no merit. Proof of that is I can read a list as long as my arm of police departments and police organizations who are opposed to this type of initiative.”