BOSTON— Muslim groups and civil libertarians demanded an apology from Gov. Mitt Romney on Friday for his comments about wiretapping mosques and monitoring foreign students, but the governor stood by his words, saying he was only advocating for improved homeland security.
The groups, which included the American Civil Liberties Union and various mosques and Islamic organizations, delivered a letter to Romney around noon which said "your desire to wiretap mosques is an affront to the values and principles that make America a great country."
"As religious, community, and student leaders, we expect far more from our elected officials. Your remarks have failed us," said Caline Jarudi, director of the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, reading from the letter.
After the letter was delivered, spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom said the governor would not apologize or retract the comments.
Romney made the comments Wednesday during a speech in Washington at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank he consults on policy issues. |