LYNNWOOD — Jeff Siddiqui has no problem with what he sees as normal security measures that apply to everyone. An outspoken member of the American Muslims of Puget Sound group, he believes people of his faith often are subject to more than airport scanners and routine stops at U.S. borders.
A U.S. citizen born in Pakistan, Siddiqui, 51, plans to gather with members of his group and others at a demonstration from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at Peace Arch State Park in Blaine. He said they’ll carry banners and speak out against what they see as anti-Muslim attitudes and fears, and for equal treatment by the U.S. government.
“We’re not going to be marching around yelling slogans,” said Siddiqui, a real estate agent and father of two from Lynnwood. “We’re gathering in peaceful assembly as individuals and families — Muslims, Jews and Christians — to illustrate the fact that we are no different from anyone else.”
Siddiqui came to the United States in 1974 to earn a master’s degree and became a citizen in 1986. Since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, he said he has experienced incidents he believes occurred because of his religion, name or appearance.
In what he called “the latest of many Border Patrol incidents,” Siddiqui said on his way home from Canada recently he was asked if he had anything in his van he didn’t want seen, and that the agent said “like terrorists or guns or grenades.”
He also said he once went to the bathroom on an airline flight and “spent 10 seconds longer than the average Joe.” When a flight attendant accompanied by several men knocked on the door, he said, it occurred to him it was likely because of suspicion of terrorism.
Thomas Schreiber is a chief U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer and spokesman at the Peace Arch Port of Entry in Blaine. He said privacy laws don’t allow him to talk about individual complaints, but that the federal agency “does not tolerate racial, religious, ethnic or national origin profiling.”
No matter who you are, he said that you bear the burden of proof to establish identity and admissibility to the United States. Border agents, he said, act “on a case-by-case basis, utilizing passenger analysis.” Factors taken into account may include behavior, answers to questions, accents, even the type and amount of luggage in a trunk.
He said people with complaints can report them at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.
Border agents’ roles have changed completely since 2001, Schreiber said. He was once a Customs officer focused on protecting U.S. commerce. Now, under the Department of Homeland Security, “the job has changed dramatically.”
“I would say that losing 3,000 Americans on American soil not only shocked the conscience of the country, but hugely redesigned our workplace,” Schreiber said.
Siddiqui has spoken out often on Muslim issues. He writes a blog, called Penjihad. He is also politically active. According to the nonprofit Middle East Forum, Siddiqui served as a Democratic Party elector for the Electoral College in 2008.
Siddiqui said he obtained a permit to use Peace Arch State Park for his demonstration. Permits cost $10. Visitors need to either pay the daily $10 parking fee or have a $30 annual state park pass.
Victoria Sweet, a park grounds and nursery specialist, said there have been several park demonstrations, including a labor event and one involving free trade. None, she said, caused trouble. “It’s a peaceful place,” she said. Blaine police, a park ranger and border officials are expected to be there Sunday, she said.
“We expect about 20 to 50 families,” Siddiqui said. He welcomes those he calls “naysayers.”
“We would like them to meet with us and talk with us if they have concerns,” Siddiqui said. “People who don’t like us are sincere people. When eyeballs lock, that is when we recognize the humanity in each other.”
Julie Muhlstein: 425-339-3460; muhlstein@heraldnet.com.
Demonstration
Members of American Muslims of Puget Sound plan to demonstrate against anti-Muslim fears from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday on the U.S. side of the Canadian border at Peace Arch State Park in Blaine. The park is at Exit 276 of I-5 north.
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