Farhana Shah, the new Public Relations Director at Muslim Community Center, convenes the popular community education series at the Muslim Community Center in Silver Spring, Md. The “Meet the Candidates” held on April 29, 2018 was the prime event of the series. Shah was receiving calls from candidates late into the night. The office of gubernational candidate Kevin Kamenetz asked to speak at the event. There were several state delegates, such a Fatmata Barrie, and county council candidates, such as Mohammad Siddique, at the packed forum.
County Council member Roger Berliner was at MCC, he is reported to have the highest fundraising totals over the past year of the six Democrats running for Montgomery County executive. Councilmen Marc Elrich and George Leventhal, as well as the former CEO of Catalyst Health Solutions, David Blair were in attendance. Former Rockville mayor and former county planning department deputy director Rose Krasnow is the only woman in the race and she was at the assembley. Muslims are estimated at ten percent of the diverse county.
During the forum, two candidates (George Leventhal and Marc Elrich) committed to dismantling the county’s Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) program if elected. This is a set of national security anti-terrorism and surveillance programs that focus on "at risk" people, primarily Muslims. Civil-liberties groups have long argued that CVE is based on false premises. Leventhal said he was okay with grants made for "at risk young people including white supremicists" under the Obama administration but is not okay with it now under the current Presidential administration. "It is hard to say no to federal dollars, but if I am County Executive, Montgomery County is out of that program," he said.
Marc Elrich said that he was never supported the CVE program and thought it was a slippery slope and morphed into a program that focused on Muslim children. "Lots of kids get upset, and if everyone who gets upset is going to be investigated this is going to be a crazy place," he said. Elrich said he had talked to people who have worked with some of the kids who have been interviewed who went through the program. "Nothing they did should have made them a person of interest," he said. He stated that there is not basis for this program.
The moderator, Shahid Shah, asked if there was any candidate that supported it. No one spoke up and Roger Berliner shook his head no. No one stood up and defended the program. The room burst into applause. This is a win for Muslim community and activists who worked hard to spread awareness.
"Politicians respond to the people they see and hear,” said County Executive candidate George Leventhal said to the Muslim community. Former State delegate Saqib Ali has endorsed Leventhal and is helping him run his campaign.
Development in east of the county was a concern and question brought up to the candidates. “if you want to make sure you are represented than you need to show up to vote,” said Krasnow. “We are a the of two counties- my platform is shared economic growth,” said Berliner. “I will have a Muslim representation in my office like no one ever has,” he added.
"I am running against the Beltway boys,” said the Republican candidate Attorney Robin Ficker. He wants to see job growth in the county.
Blair says he has seen so many inconsistencies in the county and he is running an inclusive campaign. Progressive favorite, Elrich wants better transportation options for up county residents.
Tasnuva Khan, a pharmacist, mother and congregant at MCC, said she is worried about the roads and school system.
When asked a question about Ben Cardin’s Anti-BDS bill, independent Senate candidate running for office Neil Simon said that he is a pro Israel candidate and does not support BDS. He is the CEO of the Rockville-based investment firm Bronfman Rothschild and is running for the Maryland U.S. Senate seat held by Ben Cardin, a Democrat. He also said he didn’t know the specifics of the bill. “I understand where I am sitting,” he said. He stated that he is a son of immigrants and it was important part of who he was. He is running on a platform of change and common ground.
Kamenetz said he agrees with the bill. On the youth movement for gun control, he said he is investing in school counselors in school systems. Blair agreed and says he has a way to pay for it.
Immigration and refugee resettlement were also questions that were brought up by the audience.
Leventhal, Elrich and Krasnow have chosen to use the county’s new public campaign financing system for this election.
To qualify, candidates agree to accept contributions of $150 or less from individuals. They can’t take any money from corporations, PACs, unions or political parties. Contributions of $150 or less from county residents are matched with county funds.
You can watch the entire forum as well as an earlier forum held at MCC on the Muslim Link Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/themuslimlink/videos/10156476741716518/
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