tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post111550038800983675..comments2020-04-11T03:30:02.282-05:00Gary R. Welshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15185079937305083438noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-1115868142121842892005-05-11T22:22:00.000-05:002005-05-11T22:22:00.000-05:00I was as disappointed in Patrice Abdullah's vote against the civil rights ordinance as much as you. He is my council member as well. Mr. Abdullah is both an African-American and Muslim. In voting against the ordinance Abdullah stated that his vote was based upon his "religious beliefs." He is a follower of Nation of Islam's Louis Farrakhan, who leads an extremist Muslim sect. Farrakhan has in the past advocated the establishment of a separate African-American nation in the U.S. and has expressed many anti-Catholic and anti-Semitic views. Abdullah's district includes Lockerbie, the near north side and Fall Creek, all areas heavily inhabited by gays and lesbians. It is incredible that someone with his extremist religious views could be elected to represent what is probably the most liberal-minded area of the city, if not the state. He is in his first term. If he doesn't change his heart and mind, I don't see him getting re-elected. If he is, then shame on all of us.Gary R. Welshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15185079937305083438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-1115843729113358052005-05-11T15:35:00.000-05:002005-05-11T15:35:00.000-05:00We have to get an ordinance passed in Indianapolis. I couldn't believe the vote before the council. I wasn't surprised that so many Republicans voted against it, but I was shocked that several African-American council members voted against it. I live in a neighborhood where a lot of gay and lesbians live and my council member, Abdullah, voted against it. I was so upset with him. Does he not understand how important this issue is to our community?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com