Denouncing Hateful Speech

SDDP Denounces Speaker Coming to Sioux Falls to Spread Fear and Hate

The South Dakota Democratic Party is joining SD Voices for Peace in denouncing the South Dakota Military Heritage Alliance for hosting Shahram Hadian, who preaches anti-Muslim messages across the country. While we believe in the right to free speech, these types of hateful messages against people in our community should not be tolerated.

Hadian claims to be a former Muslim from Iran. On his “Truth in Love Project” website, he writes that “Islam is anti-Jewish and anti-Christian despite what proponents of multifaith dialogue say”. It goes on to say that Islamic theology is “for religious/political jihad (war) to impose Islamic law (sharia) on all unbelievers and world domination”. The Southern Poverty Law Center details more of Hadian’s campaign to stoke fear over Islam.

This kind of disinformation is what fuels anti-Muslim rhetoric and puts South Dakotans at risk of hate and violence. Islamophobia has NO place in our state. The South Dakota Democratic Party stands against hateful speech that spreads fear. We will protect everyone’s freedom of religion and to live peacefully in their communities.

For questions, you can contact the SDDP Executive Director Dan Ahlers at [email protected] or contact the state party office by phone at 605-271-5405 or 605-940-3071.

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