CAIR-NJ, CAIR Action NJ Welcome Resignation of Dem Caucus Chair, Urge Assemblyman to Remove Him from Office
Editor’s Note: There also must be a full investigation of the connection to the IHRA Bill whose chief Assembly sponsor’s chief of staff has revealed this obvious Islamaphobic narrative. This connection to the iHRA bill suggests that there are some hidden agendas about who these would be repressers of NJ’s beloved protected free speech rights are coming for. Any action on these bills must be immediately paused and both legislative bodies must investigate the Islamapohobic connections of NJ’s IHRA push. We call for a NJ legislative investigation and report.
February 24, 2025- 10:52 am
The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) and CAIR Action NJ today welcomed Justin Goldsman’s resignation from his role as chair of the Democratic Jewish Caucus following public outcry over his anti-Muslim remarks.
Both organizations urged Assemblyman Gary Schaer to condemn and remove Goldsman as his Chief of Staff and urged Goldsman to step down as a commissioner on the West Orange Human Relations Commission.
Goldsman released a statement on his Facebook account Friday stating his resignation from the New Jersey Democratic State Committee Jewish Caucus following CAIR-NJ and CAIR Action NJ’s call for him to step down.
In a statement, CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut said:
“Justin Goldsman’s resignation from the Democratic Jewish Caucus was a necessary response to the public’s demand for accountability. However, his repeated anti-Muslim rhetoric disqualifies him from serving in any public capacity.
“It is necessary that Assemblyman Gary Schaer condemn and remove Goldsman from his office. Goldsman’s troubling history of racist postings is unacceptable and unbefitting of an elected official’s chief of staff. Goldsman must also resign from the West Orange Human Relations Commission. His continued presence in these roles that directly impact diverse communities, including Muslims, undermines public trust and the very principles of equity and inclusion that these roles are meant to uphold.
“New Jersey’s leaders must take a clear stand against Islamophobia and racism in all its forms, ensuring that individuals in positions of power are held accountable for their actions.”
Notably, Goldsman’s statement Friday appears to claim that one of his posts dehumanizing Muslims was taken out of context, alleging “to spin this into something it’s not is disgusting.”
However, CAIR-NJ and CAIR Action NJ unequivocally refute the baseless claim that his post was mispresented by the organizations. In fact, Goldsman has shared multiple social media posts on his public Facebook account as well as his private X account that are anti-Muslim and disturbingly bigoted, showing a clear pattern of racist anti-Muslim views.
In a statement, CAIR Action New Jersey Senior Advisor Ali Aljarrah said:
“Mr. Goldsman’s resignation wasn’t a result of a ‘one off, out of context’ incident as he resigned from a leadership position over his online comments in 2022. The fact he is repeating the same mistakes show he’s unfit to work in public service.”
BACKGROUNDER:
In a post made publicly on what appears to be his Facebook account, Goldsman wrote “we are humans not Muslims” with a heart emoji. That post also included a link to a post made on X by another user that has since been deleted.
In September 2024, Goldsman made another anti-Muslim post on his X account perpetuating an Islamophobic trope. He writes: “Can’t sleep with 72 fake imaginary virgins with a blown off terrorist d–k can you?”
CAIR-NJ and CAIR Action NJ continue to urge New Jersey’s elected officials and community leaders to condemn anti-Muslim rhetoric and take meaningful action to uphold the rights and dignity of all communities.
Goldsman’s recent anti-Muslim bigoted remarks came just weeks after two men were charged in a bias aggravated assault in an attack on a Muslim protester participating in an anti-genocide rally in northern New Jersey in November 2024.
Between January to June 2024, CAIR documented 4,951 incoming bias complaints nationwide, a 69% increase over the same period in 2023.
Last year, CAIR’s national office released its 2024 civil rights report, which revealed the highest number of complaints it has ever received in its 30-year history. Titled “Fatal: The Resurgence of Anti-Muslim Hate,” the report documented 8,061 complaints. Nearly half of all complaints received in 2023 were reported in the final three months of the year.
More than 300,000 Muslims call New Jersey their home, make it the state with the largest percentage of Muslims at 3.5%.
The West Orange Human Relations Commission, which Goldsman serves on, makes recommendations to the Mayor that informs policies, procedures and educational programs that will support an agenda that identifies, addresses and dismantles all types of discrimination, bias and injustice based on identities such as race, gender, religion, socio-economic background, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, marital status, ability or sexual orientation, according to its website.
Assemblyman Gary Schaer serves Legislative District 36, which covers parts of Bergen County (Carlstadt, Cliffside Park, East Rutherford, Edgewater, Fairview, Lyndhurst, North Arlington, Ridgefield, Rutherford, Wallington, and Wood-Ridge) and the city of Passaic in Passaic County.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-New Jersey Communications Manager Aya Elamroussi, 551-208-5482, aelamroussi@cair.com
