The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) and CAIR Action NJ today called on West Orange Mayor Susan McCartney and the Township Council to remove Justin Goldsman from the Human Relations Commission after he made vile anti-Muslims remarks on his social media accounts.
Ahead of the West Orange Township Council meeting on Tuesday evening, CAIR-NJ and CAIR Action NJ demand the immediate removal of Goldsman from his role as commissioner on the city’s Human Relation Commission following his hateful, anti-Muslim remarks he made on multiple social media accounts where he used language that dehumanized Muslims and perpetuated Islamophobia.
SEE: Jewish Dem state caucus chair resigns after pressure from Muslim groups (Politico Pro)
The organizations reiterate their call on Assemblyman Gary Schaer to condemn the anti-Muslim, bigoted remarks and remove Goldsman as his chief of staff.
In a statement, CAIR-NJ Advocacy and Community Relations Associate Mousa Naji said:
“Public officials must be held to the highest standards of integrity and respect for all communities. Mr. Justin Goldsman’s degrading and dehumanizing anti-Muslim remarks are glaringly incompatible with the mission of the West Orange Human Relations Commission, which exists to combat discrimination and promote diversity.
We urge Mayor Susan McCartney and the City Council to take immediate action to remove him from this position. Hateful rhetoric has no place in our government, especially from those tasked with promoting unity and understanding.
Mr. Goldsman remaining in any public position damages trust and conflicts with the values of fairness and inclusion these roles are meant to promote. His track record of anti-Muslim views directly contradicts the mission of building unity and combating discrimination, making his removal as chief of staff for Assemblyman Gary Schaer and commissioner on the West Orange Human Relations Commission a necessary step to restore public confidence and ensure accountability.”
In an open letter addressed to Assemblyman Gary Schaer, CAIR-NJ expressed its concerns over the disturbing anti-Muslim comments made by Goldsman.
In part, the letter stated:
“We believe it is critical that elected officials take a firm stand against bigotry in all forms. Goldsman’s actions not only tarnish his personal credibility but also undermine the values of inclusivity, respect, and equality that should be upheld by public servants.
“Therefore, we call for his resignation from his role as Chief of Staff.”
Last week, Goldsman resigned from the New Jersey Democratic State Committee Jewish Caucus following CAIR-NJ and CAIR Action NJ’s call for him to step down.
Despite resignation after public pressure, Goldsman attempted to downplay his actions by claiming his posts were taken out of context, a claim CAIR-NJ and CAIR Action NJ have firmly reject, citing multiple examples of his disturbing and consistent anti-Muslim views.
The West Orange Human Relations Commission makes recommendations to the Mayor that informs policies, procedures and educational programs that will support an agenda that identifies, addresses and dismantles all types of discrimination, bias and injustice based on identities such as race, gender, religion, socio-economic background, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, marital status, ability or sexual orientation, according to its website.
BACKGROUNDER:
In a post made publicly on what appears to be his Facebook account, Goldsman wrote “we are humans not Muslims” with a heart emoji. That post also included a link to a post made on X by another user that has since been deleted.
In September 2024, Goldsman made another anti-Muslim post on his X account perpetuating an Islamophobic trope. He writes: “Can’t sleep with 72 fake imaginary virgins with a blown off terrorist d–k can you?” More than 300,000 Muslims reside in New Jersey, making the state home to one of the highest percentage of Muslims at 3.5%.
CAIR-NJ and CAIR Action NJ continue to urge New Jersey’s elected officials and community leaders to condemn anti-Muslim rhetoric and take meaningful action to uphold the rights and dignity of all communities.
Between January to June 2024, CAIR documented 4,951 incoming bias complaints nationwide, a 69% increase over the same period in 2023.
Last year, CAIR’s national office released its 2024 civil rights report, which revealed the highest number of complaints it has ever received in its 30-year history. Titled “Fatal: The Resurgence of Anti-Muslim Hate,” the report documented 8,061 complaints. Nearly half of all complaints received in 2023 were reported in the final three months of the year.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-New Jersey Communications Manager Aya Elamroussi, 551-208-5482, aelamroussi@cair.com