[IP] Be Very Afraid: Nearly half of Americans wou ld restrict MuslimAmericans Civil Rights
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=341659
[ABC News]In U.S., 44 Percent Say0 Restrict MuslimsPoll: Nearly Half of All
Americans Support Restricting Rights of Muslim Americans
[The Associated Press]
ITHACA, N.Y. Dec 17, 2004 — Nearly half of all Americans believe the U.S.
government should restrict the civil liberties of Muslim Americans, according
to a nationwide poll.
The survey conducted by Cornell University also found that Republicans and
people who described themselves as highly religious were more apt to support
curtailing Muslims' civil liberties than Democrats or people who are less
religious.
Researchers also found that respondents who paid more attention to television
news were more likely to fear terrorist attacks and support limiting the rights
of Muslim Americans.
"It's sad news. It's disturbing news. But it's not unpredictable," said Mahdi
Bray, executive director of the Muslim American Society. "The nation is at war,
even if it's not a traditional war. We just have to remain vigilant and
continue to int:er.face."
The survey found 44 percent favored at least some restrictions on the civil
liberties of Muslim Americans. Forty-eight percent said liberties should not be
restricted in any way.
The survey showed that 27 percent of respondents supported requiring all Muslim
Americans to register where they lived with the federal government. Twenty-two
percent favored racial profiling to identify potential terrorist threats. And
29 percent thought undercover agents should infiltrate Muslim civic and
volunteer organizations to keep tabs on their activities and fund-raising.
Cornell student researchers questioned 715 people in the nationwide telephone
poll conducted this fall. The margin of error was 3.6 percentage points.
James Shanahan, an associate professor of communications who helped organize
the survey, said the results indicate "the need for continued dialogue about
issues of civil liberties" in a time of war.
While researchers said they were not surprised by the overall level of support
for curtailing civil liberties, they were startled by the correlation with
religion and exposure to television news.
"We need to explore why these two very important channels of discourse may
nurture fear rather than understanding," Shanahan said.
According to the survey, 37 percent believe a terrorist attack in the United
States is still likely within the next 12 months. In a similar poll conducted
by Cornell in November 2002, that number stood at 90 percen.t.
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