Michael Bloomberg defends NYPD surveillance on Muslims

The surveillance carried out by the NYPD on Muslim residents in Newark, New Jersey, was so secretive that the operation was kept from the city’s mayor.

In a 60-page report obtained by the Associated Press, details were given about conversations overheard in Muslim-owned businesses and restaurants, and photographs and maps were provided of 16 local mosques.

The operations was carried out in conjunction with Newark police, but was not authorised by Cory Booker, the mayor.

After being shown the report, he said: “This raises a number of concerns. It’s just very, very sobering.”

While surveillance by the NYPD on Muslims living in New York City has become common since the 9/11 attacks, there is some concern at the decision to extend operations beyond the force’s legal jurisdiction.

Richard Levin, the President of Yale, which is in New Haven, Connecticut, said: “Police surveillance based on religion, nationality, or peacefully expressed political opinions is antithetical to the values of Yale, the academic community, and the United States.”