Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) is strongly supporting the right of Muslims to build a community center near Ground Zero in New York, saying that its opponents are guilty of “gutter politics.”
He called the opposition “one of the worst things I’ve ever seen done in politics.”
WisPolitics reports:
Asked where he comes down on the proposal to build a mosque and community center near the site of the World Trade Center attacks, Feingold said it’s tragic there isn’t a proper memorial at the site.
“It’s just wrong after all these years that there isn’t that kind of memorial,” he said.
Feingold said those who are looking to use the issue as a political wedge are guilty of “gutter politics” and “one of the worst things I’ve ever seen done in politics.”
“In the end I believe in freedom of religion,” he said. “If somebody owns property and it’s within the zoning rules, if they want to build a house of worship that is a fundamental right. And I would make the point I am for freedom on this point, and freedom of religion is fundamental.”
