Islam being the only religion the ACLU actually defends instead of mercilessly persecuting (i.e. Christianity).

WEST VALLEY CITY — The deputy legal director for the ACLU believes post-9/11 security policies specifically target Muslims, and that the intelligence community has taken training cues from bigots, not experts.

And unlike the era where Japanese Americans were detained in camps during World War II, he sees detainment, surveillance and other infringement policies staying in the extreme in the decade following 9/11 becoming “the new normal.”

“While President Obama uses the rhetoric of human rights, his administration is continuing to become more entrenched,” said Jameel Jaffer, deputy legal director for the ACLU and director of the ACLU’s Center for Democracy, which houses the agency’s work on national security; human rights; and speech, privacy and technology.

Jaffer spoke Saturday night at the Islamic Society of Greater Salt Lake’s Khadeeja Islamic Center.

He urged Muslims to vote and participate in public events, including demonstrations, but said they should not band together as Muslim or Arabic-sponsored groups to oppose government or societal injustices. “Choose something less selfish” rather than representing a Muslim bloc. “You have to think of other people’s rights” as well, he said.