On November 13, 2005, the Chicago Tribune reported, "Twenty-five immigrant and civil rights groups on Friday joined a Muslim organization in demanding U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) apologize for remarks he made condoning discrimination against some Arabs.

During a technology conference Nov. 5 at Northwestern University, Kirk said: 'I'm OK with discrimination against young Arab males from terrorist-producing states.'

Kirk, a Navy Reserve intelligence officer, defended his remarks Wednesday after the Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations demanded a retraction and an apology. The 10th District congressman said it is crucial for the United States to protect its borders from foreign terrorists.

The groups also calling for an apology include the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs; the Archdiocese of Chicago's Office of Hispanic Ministry; the Korean American Senior Center; the United Methodist Church's Northern Illinois Conference; and the National Arab American Medical Association of Illinois."

This article cross-posted at the Pluralism Project's Religious Diversity News.