On a powerful episode of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D sat down with Council on American Islamic Relations Executive Director Zahra Billoo to unpack a series of urgent issues impacting Muslim communities, civil liberties, and free speech across the country.
The conversation opened with the tragic mass shooting at the Islamic Center in San Diego, where three members of the Muslim community lost their lives while protecting students and worshippers during an armed attack. Billoo, speaking from San Diego while attending the victims’ funerals, described the grief and fear spreading through Muslim communities nationwide. She emphasized that the attack did not happen in isolation but was fueled by years of rising Islamophobia, inflammatory political rhetoric, and the normalization of anti-Muslim hate.
Davey D and Billoo explored how attacks on mosques are often treated differently than attacks on other religious institutions. Billoo noted that Muslim communities have endured repeated acts of vandalism, threats, and violence, yet national outrage and political responses remain inconsistent. She also pointed to how federal security funding for mosques has become increasingly restricted, especially for organizations supportive of Palestinian human rights.
The discussion then shifted toward the role of social media, surveillance, and technology companies in amplifying hate and fear. Davey D criticized tech platforms for profiting from inflammatory content while simultaneously censoring pro-Palestinian voices. Billoo agreed, arguing that surveillance corporations and social media giants profit from fear-driven narratives that often target marginalized communities.
Another major focus was Oakland’s controversial contract with the Israeli surveillance company Cellbrite. Billoo warned that technologies marketed as public safety tools are increasingly being used to expand invasive surveillance while doing little to reduce crime. She connected these systems to broader global patterns of surveillance used against Palestinians and immigrant communities.
The interview concluded with a discussion about UC Berkeley’s adoption of policies tied to the IHRA definition of antisemitism. Billoo argued that criticism of the Israeli government is being wrongly equated with antisemitism, creating a chilling effect on free speech and pro-Palestinian activism on campuses. She urged listeners to continue speaking out, organize locally, and show solidarity with Muslim communities facing fear and violence.
