Locals Discuss Donald Trump and a Muslim Registry

Reno and Sparks citizens gathered today at the Northern Nevada Muslim Community Center Sunday to discuss the idea of a "Muslim registry" and what a Donald Trump administration may or may not implement. 

Earlier this week the idea of a "Muslim registry" was widely discussed on social media after actor George Takei wrote an article for the Washington Post titled "They interned my family. Don't let them do it to Muslims."Takei wrote on Facebook that he was inspired to write this after hearing Carl Higbie, a Trump supporter, defend the idea of a registry on Fox News. Higbie responded on Twitter saying that "no one condones any camps." 

Here in Reno, Mike Thornton, Executive Director of ACTIONN said that "The President-Elect's statements and, now, appointments are truly frighting...Civil Rights, The Constitution and basic human dignity are under assault. Now is the time for people of good will to stand together with the Muslim members of our community and across the nation to say: 'IAmAmerica'!"

One appointment Thornton is referring to is Steven Bannon as Donald Trump's Chief Strategist who has drawn criticism for his association with the "alt-right". Earlier this week Bannon told The Hollywood Reporter that he wasn't a "white nationalist" but a "nationalist", an "economic nationalist". 

Thornton also mentions the appointment of Michael Flynn to National Security Advisor, saying that he "promotes fear of Muslims." CBS News recently profiled Michael Flynn, the former Army lieutenant general. They reported that in recent public comments, including his address at the Republican National Convention, he "emphasized his view that Islamic state extremists pose an existential threat on a global scale." He was also quoted at an event in Dallas this August saying that Islam "is a political ideology" that "definitely hides behind being a religion."

Donald Trump's position on this has taken several different forms throughout his presidential campaign. 

In December of 2015, he released a statement calling for a "total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States." This was following the killing of 14 people in San Bernardino.

CBS reported that after the Republican National Convention Trump said the ban would include suspending immigration from "any nation that has been compromised by terrorism until such time as proven vetting mechanisms have been put in place." 

During the October 9th presidential debate Trump said the ban would be more akin to "extreme vetting."

Donald Trump's newest website, GreatAgain.gov does not make any mention of a Muslim ban or vetting system, saying only that the administration will be "committed to both immediate and sustainable actions to counter the threats posed by these radical ideologies."