Jewish activists slammed Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) over remarks about a controversial mural featuring Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan after they resurfaced in a media report this week.
The left-wing congressman argued that the mural that was displayed in a Westchester suburb paying homage to black figures including the notorious anti-Semite who has referred to Jews as “termites” who “owned a lot of plantations,” should not be removed, defending the hatemonger as being a “part of black history.”
Bowman’s remarks which were made during an appearance on public access television last year were first reported by the New York Daily News, drawing more attention to the “Squad” member’s choice of heroes. He also once displayed a picture of a black militant fugitive cop killer on a “Wall of Honor” as a middle school principal.
In his discussion with host and community activist Clifton Earl Abrams, Bowman said of the mural, “Regarding the minister, you know, he said many things that I fully disagree with, you know, period,” adding. “But he is a part of black history, you know? That’s a fact. And if the Greenburgh community — particularly that section of Greenburgh, you know — supports the mural, then the mural should be there as is.”
(Video: CBS New York)
Bowman’s resurfaced comments come as he is facing a contested primary to hold onto his seat, having drawn headlines for his volcanic temper, the menacing of fellow lawmakers, and pulling a fire alarm to shut down a congressional vote to keep the government open last fall, all of which have rubbed some voters the wrong way.
“Farrakhan has singlehandedly done more damage to the positive relations and cooperation among different minority groups that have existed since the civil rights movement,” said human rights attorney Brooke Goldstein.
“Including Farrakhan on any sort of mural is nothing less than an attempt to whitewash his blatant racism, and to gaslight Americans into viewing him as anything other than a bigot,” Goldstein, the executive director of nonprofit The Lawfare Project, told Fox News Digital. “Jamal Bowman’s failure to acknowledge the trauma caused by Farrakhan, and unwillingness to act on this mural, shows indifference to the harm and an appalling lack of fitness to lead, especially when it comes to minority rights.”
New York City Jewish activist Lizzy Savetsky, told the outlet that it is “unconscionable and reprehensible that Rep. Jamal Bowman would choose to glorify a blatant antisemite like Louis Farrakhan.”
“This is not just an error in judgment; it’s a blatant endorsement of hate and antisemitism. Such actions should not only be condemned but also met with the sternest opposition to prevent any semblance of acceptance for hate-filled bigots. Rep. Bowman must resign immediately,” Savetsky said.
“Louis Farrakhan is an unabashed Jew-hater who has used his very public platform to spread abhorrent antisemitic stereotypes, while at the same time recruiting and developing a veritable army of followers indoctrinated into the cult of hatred towards Jews and marginalized communities,” Goldstein said.
The congressman told the New York Daily News that Minister Farrakhan’s comments have been “horrific” and “despicable antisemitic,” and expressed his opinion that “the local community living near the mural should have the power to decide how to move forward.”
The “Squad” member did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment on the controversial mural.