Florida city councilman claimed those who practice Islam do not belong in the United States. A city councilperson in Palm Bay, Florida, is refusing to apologize to outraged members of his community for claiming those who follow Islam “do not belong” in the United States. Chandler Langevin, a Republican, offended some people in the community last month after writing on X that Islam “exists for the sole purpose of conquering Christendom and ending the Jewish people” and, therefore “they” do not belong in America.
Even in person, community members confronted the city councilman for his statement, with one woman calling it “racist foolishness.”. “Do not drag the beautiful city of Palm Bay into your racist foolishness,” the woman said at the city council meeting. “That an entire population of individuals should be banned from this country? That’s the most asinine thing I’ve ever heard, especially out of a local commissioner.”.
But Langevin still refused to apologize, claiming there was “nothing wrong” with his statement. “I said that the ideology of Islam, particularly the political component does not belong in the United States, there’s nothing wrong with saying that. So no, I’m not going to apologize,” Langevin said. The First Amendment of the U.S. directly allows people the freedom to practice religion without government interference.
Christianity is the dominant religion practiced in the U.S. but Judaism and Islam rank number two and three. On X, Langevin incorrectly claimed that Islam is not peaceful and is “as much a political ideology as they are a practice of faith.” He also claimed said Muslims were “taking over Christian nations across Europe and implementing their political ideology.”. This rhetoric is often used by conservatives to deny Muslims religious freedom or protection.
