Introduction to the Controversy
A California district attorney reposted on social media 9/11 images along with comments blasting the election of Zohran Mamdani as New York City’s first Muslim mayor. Despite the gory images and strong denunciation of Mamdani, Dan Dow insists that he has no issues with the Muslim community in San Luis Obispo County, where he is the top prosecutor.
Background on the Incident
He has “strong ties” with the community, Dow said in an emailed statement Thursday to The Times. But his posts have drawn backlash, and a Muslim advocacy organization is demanding an apology and an investigation. On Wednesday, Dow retweeted a post on X from a popular right-wing account that appeared to show a snapshot moments after flames jutted from the South Tower, the second of the twin towers struck by a plane on Sept. 11, 2001.
Details of the Posts
A second visual tweet, more graphic than the first, displayed footage from two angles of a plane barreling into one of the towers. That was posted by the leader of an activist organization, described as a hate group by some, that claims to “combat the threats from Islamic supremacists, radical leftists and their allies.” Each was posted in the aftermath of the New York City mayoral election won by 34-year-old democratic socialist Mamdani.
Reaction from the Community
The posts were retweeted and subtweeted days later and 3,000 miles away by Dow, drawing rebuke from some locals, in a story first broken by the San Luis Obispo Tribune. Dow responded to a Times email for comment saying his issue was not with the county’s Muslim population, which numbers around 500, according to the Assn. of Religion Data Archives.
Dow’s Explanation
“I shared the posts because, in my opinion, Mamdani is going to destroy New York being a self-proclaimed socialist,” Dow responded. “I support the Muslim community and have strong ties to our Muslim community in San Luis Obispo.” The first post Dow retweeted came from the account @EndWokeness, which vows to its nearly 4 million followers that it’s “fighting, exposing, and mocking wokeness.”
Criticism and Demand for Apology
The second post came from Amy Mekelburg, founder of Rise, Align, Ignite and Reclaim (RAIR) Foundation, which is listed as a hate organization by the Council on American-Islamic Relations. The council’s Los Angeles office demanded Thursday evening that Dow apologize and “retract his recent anti-Muslim social media posts.” CAIR-LA is also asking for an independent investigation into Dow’s conduct and “his fitness to continue to serve as DA.”
Community and Official Response
CAIR-LA said that Mekelburg “falsely equated the election of Mamdani with 9/11, reinforcing the harmful stereotype that Muslims are inherently tied to terrorism simply because of their faith.” Dow subtweeted that specific post with a message that began by highlighting his 32 years of service in the U.S. Army and his four tours overseas. Dow’s posts also struck a nerve with one of his Muslim allies in San Luis Obispo, Dr. Rushdi Cader, who referred to the district attorney as “a personal friend” to the San Luis Obispo Tribune.
Conclusion
The incident involving Dan Dow, the California district attorney, and his retweeting of 9/11 images in criticism of Zohran Mamdani’s election, has sparked significant controversy and debate. The community’s reaction, ranging from demands for apology to expressions of disappointment, underscores the sensitivity and complexity of the issue. It highlights the challenges of balancing personal opinions with the responsibilities of public office, especially in a role as critical as district attorney.
FAQs
- Q: What was the context of Dan Dow’s retweets?
A: Dan Dow retweeted posts that included 9/11 images in response to the election of Zohran Mamdani as New York City’s first Muslim mayor. - Q: How did Dow explain his actions?
A: Dow explained that his issue was with Mamdani’s political stance as a self-proclaimed socialist, not with the Muslim community. - Q: What has been the reaction from the Muslim community and advocacy groups?
A: The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) has demanded an apology and an independent investigation into Dow’s conduct, citing that his actions reinforced harmful stereotypes about Muslims. - Q: Are there any investigations or further actions planned?
A: As of the last update, CAIR-LA is calling for an independent investigation into Dow’s conduct and his fitness to continue serving as DA.
