New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg held his annual interfaith breakfast, but he didn't directly address a boycott by Muslim leaders upset about police spying on their followers.
Friday's morning's breakfast was held without 15 Muslim leaders. They told the mayor in a letter that they disagree with his position following a series of articles by The Associated Press exposing the police department's methods.
The AP series detailed police department efforts to infiltrate Muslim neighborhoods and mosques with aggressive programs designed by a CIA officer. Bloomberg has defended the tactics.
At the breakfast, Bloomberg quoted his father as telling him that "discrimination against anyone is discrimination against everyone."
He also said: "We have to keep our guard up, but if we don't work together we won't have our own freedoms."
NYC mayor doesn't address Muslim boycott of event
