Steve Emerson, a self-styled terrorism expert, who has drawn fire for comments about “no-go zones” in France and other European countries following the attacks in Paris, graduated from Brown University.
Speaking on Fox News earlier this month, Emerson declared that parts of Paris are essentially closed to non Muslims and have come under the control of Islamic Sharia courts. The mayor of Paris has threatened to sue Fox News over the remark.
Emerson also claimed that Birmingham, England is an all-Muslim city, prompting British Prime Minister David Cameron to call Emerson “clearly a complete idiot.”
Fox News issued an apology for Emerson’s statements and said he would not likely reappear as a commentator.
Emerson has made numerous appearances Fox but has also been seen on other networks, including CBS, and CNBC. He founded the Investigative Project on Terrorism, and has been called several times to offer expertise to Congress.
An article in Brown University’s alumni magazine chronicles Emerson’s rise to prominence and his controversial theories, starting with a PBS Documentary called Jihad In America. According to the magazine, Emerson received both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Brown, both in urban studies.
Emerson’s warning, in the mid-1990’s, about a potential terrorist attack on U.S. soil seemed prescient to some after the attacks of 9/11. But others have criticized Emerson for stirring up anti-Muslim sentiment.
In defending his recent comments, Emerson told Glen Beck that the term “no-go zones” refers to areas avoided by law enforcement. But he admitted he was wrong to call Birmingham, England a place where non-Muslims “simply don’t go.”
