The essential message of this film, again, was that American Muslims are planning to infiltrate and dominate America, and so any claims by Muslims to be “moderate” are part of a devious pattern of deception. The impact of this mentality seems to be demonstrated by Associated Press reports revealing over six years of New York City police spying on Muslims in mosques, small businesses, and universities over a wide region. The secret “Demographics Unit” responsible for this apparent abuse of civil liberties has not generated a single lead or uncovered any evidence of terrorism.

QUESTION: What broader research explores how conspiracy narratives against minority groups justify state surveillance programs?

Carl W. Ernst, Islamophobia in America_ Th…, loc. 32