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PANCAKES WITH A SIDE OF HATE: Gwinnett Republicans Imported New Zealand’s Most Notorious Racist and Islamophobic Conspiracy Theorist to Headline a “Hate Breakfast”

The Gwinnett County Democratic Party, State Senator Sheikh Rahman, Democratic Candidates Nabilah Islam, Farooq Mughal, Ruwa Romman, and Josh Uddin Condemn Gwinnett GOP Candidates Who Hosted and Appeared with Trevor Loudon

August 8, 2022
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(GWINNETT COUNTY) – On Saturday, August 6th, the Gwinnett County Republican Party hosted a paid, ticketed breakfast headlined by notorious racist, Islamophobic purveyor of hate speech and conspiracy theories Trevor Loudon.

The Southern Poverty Law Center describes Loudon, a native of New Zealand, as a “far-right conspiracy theorist” who is “known for seeing communist infiltrators everywhere and claims the political left are working with so-called Islamists to overthrow the United States.”

The Gwinnett Republican Party’s own website describes Loudon as “passionate about winning the multi-generational war being waged against Western Civilization by the Cultural Marxists.” Other speakers at the August 6th GOP “Hate Breakfast” included Republican state senate candidate Josh McKay, who is running against Nabilah Islam to represent the 7th District and state house candidate Arefeen Chowdhury, running against Farooq Mughal in District 105.

“The Gwinnett Democratic Party condemns hate speech in the strongest possible terms,” said Brenda Lopez Romero, Chairwoman of the Gwinnett County Democratic Party.

“The Gwinnett GOP owes every voter an apology for importing hate into our district and for amplifying dangerous conspiracy theories. Gwinnett County is a diverse and welcoming community where people of all backgrounds and faiths deserve dignity and respect.”

“As a Muslim woman running for office, I expect to put up with a certain amount of crap,” said Nabilah Islam, candidate for Georgia State Senate District 7. “But there is absolutely no room for hatred and insane conspiracy theories in our politics. Voters want us to focus on the issues that matter to them – like healthcare and jobs and the cost of living. Not whatever this hate breakfast was about. The Gwinnett Republicans and Josh McKay should be embarrassed and ashamed, but I know they won’t be. They should apologize. And I can’t believe they flew this guy in all the way from New Zealand to peddle such trash.”

“At a time when religious and racial hatred threatens many in our diverse community, inviting Trevor Loudon, a bigot and liar who attacks people of faith and minority groups to Gwinnett County by the Gwinnett County Republican party is dangerous and irresponsible,” said Josh Uddin, Candidate for Georgia State Senate District 48. “We urge all voters to be informed about who the Republican Party promotes and supports, and hold candidates for public office accountable when they affiliate with hate leaders. Like my opponent for State Senate, Loudon also spread lies about the validity of the 2020 election results and endorsed Donald Trump’s efforts to deny the will of the voters. It is never acceptable to promote Trever Loudon or those like him.”

“Republicans continue to lie to the public by suggesting that hate has no place in their party while actively fundraising and promoting actual hate leaders,” said Ruwa Romman, Candidate for Georgia State House District 97. “They know they don’t have better policies or plans so they resort to hate to create fear and division. There is no place for hate in Gwinnett, and we will make that clear in November.”

“Post 9-11, discrimination and hate crimes against Muslim Americans, people of color, and South Asian communities have skyrocketed,” said Farooq Mughal, Candidate for Georgia State House District 105. “American Muslims are part of the fabric of America and have been contributing to this nation since the days of George Washington and the Revolutionary War. We are veterans, lawyers, engineers, doctors, retailers, teachers, and small business owners. I have worked hard with faith leaders, law enforcement, community leaders, business leaders, and elected officials in both parties to make sure American Muslims have a seat at the table and together we can fight discrimination, bigotry, and hate crimes. The Gwinnett GOP inviting a hatemonger and anti-Muslim speaker in Gwinnett is a slap on our faces. We cannot let hate in Gwinnett be embraced. I will continue to be a strong leader and public servant while I advocate for the people of our communities in HD-105 and the State of Georgia and stand against hate.”

Loudon has advocated for anti-Muslim laws, including that Muslim student groups should be designated as hate groups, in addition to restrictions on refugees and immigrants. While Muslims are a favorite target of Loudon, his bizarre rantings have also attacked a number of other communities:

- He claimed Black Lives Matter was a front for a pro-Chinese Communist group.
- He said that George Floyd’s murder and the subsequent protests were planned years in advance.
- He has spread the “birther” conspiracy theory and has compared Barack Obama to Hitler and Stalin.
- He accused Eskimos in Alaska of being in cahoots with communists.
- He said 100 Democrats in Congress need to be investigated for “working for foreign governments and the communist and Islamic movements.”
- He also said, “Pedophilia right now is now being pushed as almost acceptable in the name of inclusion and diversity.”
- He blamed the infamous white supremacist “Unite the Right” hate march in Charlottesville, Virginia, which resulted in 3 deaths, on “left-wing communists.”
- He has authored pieces for a known anti-Muslim extremist group, including a “study” that the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party was enabling "Sharia-supremacism.”

Loudon’s home of Christchurch, New Zealand is noteworthy for the 2019 anti-Muslim terrorist attack that killed 51 worshippers at two separate mosques in one day and was “was linked to an increase in white supremacy and alt-right extremism.” Therefore, Loudon should be well aware of the dangers of spreading hate speech and anti-Muslim conspiracy theories.

Statement for Om on the Gwinnett County Millage Rate

On Tuesday, August 2, 2022, the Gwinnett County Commission voted 4-1 to keep the county portion of the millage rate the same, due to a significant increase in the value of assessed residential and commercial properties in Gwinnett County, this will mean that many commercial property owners and tenants, renters, and homeowners who do not qualify for the value offset exemption will see higher tax bills than previous years.

As a longtime business owner and entrepreneur in Gwinnett County, I know like many communities around our nation, Gwinnett's small business owners and entrepreneurs, and many residents are struggling with rising costs and record high inflation. I echo the sentiments of Commissioner Carden, who represents many of the residents of House District 99 in supporting immediate tax relief in Gwinnett. Gwinnett's School Board adopted a partial roll back, and the state government has also provided some tax relief. Taxpayers, residents, and our business community in Georgia needs local leaders who understand the economic challenges they are facing and are effective partners in helping them meet these challenges.

In the Georgia State Legislature I will work to be a champion for taxpayers and small businesses, protecting against excessive and unfair taxes and fees, and supporting tax relief so that the people of Gwinnett and all across Georgia can keep more of their hard earned money.

Reference article: https://www.ajc.com/news/gwinnett-county-commission-keeps-tax-rate-flat-with-some-dissent/TMAZBKS6QZGCNM33OBEST5UCRM/

Candidate for Georgia State House District 99 Om Duggal Comments on Roe vs. Wade Overturn

For Immediate Release June 24, 2022

Today, the US Supreme Court upended decades of settled law as it pertains to abortion rights and reproductive freedom in America by reversing the Roe v. Wade decision. Republicans in Georgia have long pursued extreme legislation that restricts reproductive choice in our state, and due to an activist Supreme Court, they now have even more ability to pass and enforce laws that put women’s lives at risk.

Women’s rights are on the ballot this November, and I am running to be part of a Democratic majority in the State House, alongside a new Governor Stacey Abrams, who will work to protect women’s healthcare and abortion rights. Like the majority of Georgians, I believe in women’s rights to privacy and choice and do not believe it is the role of government to interfere in deeply personal family planning decisions. Now is the time to make our voices heard and stand with women. If elected, I will do everything in my power as a State Legislator to fight for women's rights.

Om Duggal Reaffirms Support for Healthcare & Reproductive Rights After Leaked Supreme Court Opinion

For Immediate Release May 3, 2022
Contact: Brenda Lopez Romero
[email protected]

Yesterday, a draft majority opinion by the US Supreme Court that would overturn Roe v. Wade and other cases that protect the rights of women and the right to privacy was leaked to the media. Should the US Supreme Court move forward with this majority opinion, the rights of women to make their own reproductive choices would be imperiled nationwide, and especially in Georgia, as Republicans in the Legislature, and Governor Kemp have supported and passed into law trigger laws that would immediately restrict reproductive choice based on the ruling of the Supreme Court.

Om Duggal, Democratic nominee for Georgia State House District 99 (Duluth, Suwanee, and Sugar Hill in Gwinnett County), released the following statement regarding this issue:

“The legal opinions expressed in this leaked draft majority opinion from the Supreme Court make it clear that the rights of women, the right to privacy, and reproductive choice continue to be under attack by judicial activists and those who do not believe that women have the right to make their own medical decisions. It is incredibly disheartening that my daughters and my wife continue to have to fight for their right to be equal citizens under the law.

I am running on a pro-choice and pro-healthcare platform, because it is important to me that women and their families have the right to determine their own family planning, and that the health and well being of women is at the forefront when policies are made. Republicans in the Georgia legislature have pursued extreme restrictions on abortion rights and choice, that have real consequences for women and their families in a state that ranks as one of the worst in the nation for maternal care and maternal mortality. Their policies do not even include protections for victims of rape, and incest, and women who face severe and life threatening healthcare challenges due to their pregnancy.

Now is the time that we must stand with women and come together to advocate for laws that will protect choice and civil rights. The actions taken by Republicans in the Georgia State Legislature, and the Supreme Court, have put these rights at risk, and we must secure a Democratic majority in the Georgia State House that will change direction on not just this issue, but other issues such as our right to vote that continue to be on the line.”

“Reproductive healthcare is a fundamental individual right.”

To learn more about Om Duggal and his Democratic campaign for Georgia State House please visit Om Duggal | Candidate, Georgia House District 99 - Om Duggal Georgia State House District 99 (om4georgia.com)