Congressman Jamaal Bowman and Westchester Democratic Chair Suzanne Berger are being called on to decline an honor from the Mediterranean People and Communities, (MPAC). The group, founded by Yonkers businessman John Khader, is a political action committee, (PAC) that endorses and supports democratic candidates in Westchester and in NY State.
Concerned Yonkers Democrats posted on Facebook, “Shame on Westchester Democratic Chairwoman Suzanne Berger and Congressman Jamal Bowman to be involved in an Political Action Committee, who’s founder/president/sole member promotes the use of guns toward protestors as seen in John “Johnny Limo” Khader’s Facebook post. During the George Floyd protest, John Khader threatened protestors with this sawed off shot gun through this Facebook post.”
Concerned Yonkers Democrats also criticized certain expenditures made from funds raised from the MPAC political action committee, and asked “How will the Democratic Voters/District Leaders who voted/supported for Jamaal Bowman and Suzanne Berger feel about them supporting this Political Action Committee?”
John Khader’s brother is former City Council President Mike Khader. Mike Khader was soundly defeated in his re-election effort last year, losing the democratic primary to the current Council President, Lakisha Collins-Bellamy.
Yonkers Rising and YonekrsTimes.com ran a story on John Khader’s post, which is pictured above. At the time, we found the posts to be inappropriate and unprofessional. Perhaps they are even more offensive two years later.
From our story on June 2020, “On June 2, John Khader posted a photo of a gun with bullets, and commented “unconfirmed reports of protestors/rioters in my hood ready for anything…
One organization that spoke out against Khader’s comments, was Mom’s Demand Action, an organization founded after the Sandy Hook shootings working to pass stronger gun laws and work to close the loopholes that jeopardize the safety of our families. Their website also states, “We also work in our own communities and with business leaders to encourage a culture of responsible gun ownership.”
Barry Graubart, a member of Mom’s Demand Action in New York, responded to Khader’s post, writing, “I was appalled to see this post on Facebook and Instagram today, threatening protesters with violence with what appears to be a short-barreled pistol-grip pump-action shotgun. These weapons are often referred to colloquially as a “zombie killer”.
“The photo was posted under the account “Johnny Limo”, which belongs to John Khader, MPAC founder and owner of Top Class Limo in Yonkers. Gun violence may be a joke to John Khader, but to many of us in Westchester, it’s a reality that has taken too many lives. And in the current environment, with people protesting for racial justice, with increasing domestic violence, gun violence is no laughing matter,” said Graubart, who asked Westchester DA Anthony Scarpino to disavow Khader from his campaign and cancel a fundraiser scheduled with Khader.
Scarpino issued a comment which read, “I became aware of a disturbing Facebook post by one of my supporters tonight. Upon learning about this post, I immediately cancelled an upcoming event that this individual had planned in support of my campaign. In no uncertain terms, I condemn this post and the message it sends, particularly in this painful time. I stand strongly in support of those protesting against systemic racism and police brutality and commit the full force of my office to fight for positive change on behalf of people of color in Westchester.”
Our story reminds us that then DA Scarpino disavowed John Khader’s post, and cancelled his scheduled event with MPAC. Now, Rep. Bowman and Democratic Chair Berger are being asked to do the same.
Rep. Bowman will face Westchester County Legislator Vedat Gashi in a democratic primary in June, and republican Bill Faulkner in November.
