Russell Simmons Organizes Times Square Solidarity Rally

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — Co-founder of Def Jam Records Russell Simmons will host a rally in Times Square this weekend to stand in solidarity with the United States' Muslim community. The rally, to be called “Today, I Am A Muslim Too” will be held Sunday, Feb. 19, at the corner of 48th Street & Broadway from 12-4 p.m., according to a press release.

“Everyone except white privileged males are in immediate danger. African Americans, women, Latinos, Asians and LGBTQ are all at risk, but there is no freedom in that privileged status either because the spirit of the oppressor is oppressed as well," Simmons said in a statement "We are living in a time when unity will make America great. This is a special moment for all Americans of good will to band together to promote the kind of compassion and equality for others that we want for ourselves."

The rally will feature a number of speakers including Rabbi Marc Schneier of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding (FFEU), Imam Shamsi Ali of the Jamaica Muslim Center and national co-chair of the Women's March on Washington Linda Sarsour.

Schneier hosted the first "Today, I am A Muslim Too" rally in 2010, which drew a crowd of 5,000 people to Times Square, according to a press release.

"We are heartened that in recent days, people across the country have been coming out to protest the recent unconstitutional travel ban and the growing anti-Muslim bigotry and Islamophobia in our country. We need to come together again, in the heart of Times Square, people of all faiths and ethnic backgrounds," Schneier said in a statement.

Photo by Coco Curranski via Flickr/Creative Commons