NEWS
FACT CHECK ON DISINFORMATION SPREAD BY ILLINOIS GOP
The Illinois GOP and my opponent have been working to falsely smear me as antisemitic, and supporter of Hamas. These outrageous and baseless accusations are deeply offensive and painful to me and my family. Still, I feel it is important to address these lies head-on because I want our community to understand exactly who I am–and who I am not. That’s why, today, we’re releasing this fact check, to dispel the smears and set the record straight.
While I stay focused on my local community, my opponent is using abhorrent and dangerous, xenophobic tropes for political gain. That is shameful and should be condemned by the Illinois GOP. These lies have led to me and my family receiving dangerous threats throughout this campaign.
Our communities deserve politicians who build bridges and spread compassion, rather than those who create division and show discord. I worked and will continue to work with everyone to provide common-sense policies to our local communities and invite voters of all backgrounds to support my campaign, which is built on shared values and hope.
My priorities are straightforward: I am running to continue my community service as a legislator, and I am focused on protecting access to reproductive health care and mental health, making our communities safer, and reducing gun violence. I am disappointed but not surprised that my opponent is focusing on false attacks based on my faith and culture, rather than on my proven track record and policy platform.
Fact vs Fiction
Suzanne’s opponent is trying to smear her with baseless attacks. You deserve to make your voting decision based on the truth. Here are the facts:
THE CLAIM: Suzanne’s opponents falsely claim she is a socialist because she appeared on the “Talkin’ Socialism” talk show.
FACT: This claim is false. Suzanne is a nonprofit leader, and has given hundreds of interviews throughout her career. She appeared on CBS, ABC, Fox News, WBEZ, NPR, WTTW, C-Span, Chicago Tribune, LA Times, New York Times, BBC, and many others. She generally appears on programs where she can spread the word about the important work of her organization to support refugees from around the world.
THE CLAIM: Suzanne funded Brandon Johnson’s campaign
FACT: Suzanne and her husband donate regularly to Democratic leaders nationwide.
THE CLAIM: Suzanne’s opponents claim that she is linked to Islamic terrorism because she is a board member of CAIR Chicago
FACT: The claims confuse CAIR Chicago with CAIR National. CAIR Chicago is a separate organization, focused on defending the civil rights of people in Illinois. Suzanne was never a board member of CAIR National and is not associated with that organization in any way. She is not a board member of CAIR Chicago, since her term ended in 2020. She was also on the board of the Syrian American Medical Society, Illinois Community for Displaced Immigrants, Universal School, and many others.
FICTION: Suzanne’s opponent claims she has not publicly denounced Hamas and their attacks on Israel
FACT: Suzanne has been outspoken about the loss of innocent lives in the Middle East and the growing humanitarian crisis. Her husband traveled to Gaza to provide medical humanitarian assistance to civilians impacted by war at the beginning of this year. Suzanne is always outspoken about the loss of human life in Gaza, Ukraine, Syria, Israel, and many other areas where people live under the threat of violence and discrimination.
THE CLAIM: Suzanne’s opponents claim she has ties to Islamic terrorism
FACT: This is an offensive, outrageous, and bigoted lie based on Suzanne’s faith. She has lived in the US for the past 40 years, almost 20 years in the district, and her work speaks for her values.
THE CLAIM: Suzanne is antisemitic.
FACT: Suzanne and her husband have a long history of working with people of all backgrounds to support vulnerable communities. They have been recognized as Upstanders by the Illinois Holocaust Museum for speaking up against hate speech and standing up to hate crimes. Her campaign is supported by leaders in the Jewish community such as U.S. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Jane Ramsey, and others, all of whom have condemned these false claims of antisemitism as offensive and harmful to the Jewish community.