Governor's appointment of Nation of Islam official draws criticism

[kweerwolf]

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Gov. Rod Blagojevich does not plan to remove an adviser to Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan from the state's hate crimes commission, despite calls to do so from some civil rights groups, a spokeswoman said.

Claudette Marie Johnson, minister of protocol for the Nation of Islam, was appointed to the panel in August because she shares the commission's goals of eliminating hate crimes and discrimination, Blagojevich spokeswoman Cheryle Jackson said.

"In order for the commission to truly achieve its mission, it must be inclusive, not exclusive, and respectfully and constructively bring together people of different backgrounds and voices to solve our differences," Jackson said Thursday.

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"When we got word she was placed on the commission as a representative of the Nation of Islam, we were clearly concerned," said Lonnie Nasatir, regional director of the Anti-Defamation League and a member of the commission. "This is a body aimed at eradicating hate. In Mr. Farrakhan's words over the years, he's actually espoused hate."

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