WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The mayor said Muslim residents are partners in the fight against terrorism and that the agreement will help improve the city’s relationship with its Muslim community.
“We are committed to strengthening the relationship between our administration and communities of faith so that residents of every background feel respected and protected,” the release quoted Mayor Bill de Blasio as saying.
Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, outside scrutiny of police investigations was ended and police began infiltrating mosques, keeping tabs on worshipers and profiling Muslim communities.
Under the settlement, the mayor will appoint a civilian to the internal NYPD panel that monitors counterterrorism activities.
The agreement involves a 2013 lawsuit over Muslim surveillance and a complaint dating back to Cold War surveillance of radical Communist groups.
