Interfaith Leaders Speaking Out On NYPD Tactics

JERSEY CITY, New Jersey (AP) — Some high-ranking religious leaders joined with New Jersey Muslims on Thursday in demanding reassurance from state authorities that no one is being spied on because of their religion.

The head of the Newark archdiocese spoke out in solidarity with Muslims who feel that reports of the NYPD conducting surveillance of mosques and Muslim student groups in New Jersey and elsewhere has crossed the line beyond acceptable counter-terrorism methods.

Meanwhile, Mayor Michael Bloomberg continued to defend the NYPD’s tactics, saying they had stopped 14 attacks since Sept. 11, 2001.

Muslim leaders in New Jersey renewed their calls Thursday for a state and federal investigation into the NYPD’s actions in New Jersey.

The move comes a day after the head of New Jersey’s FBI office criticized aspects of the NYPD’s operations in the state.