Terrorism preparedness hearings start

State Sen. Gregory R. Ball (D-N.Y.) has scheduled a series of terrorism preparedness hearings in New York City that will begin today.

“Nearly 10 years after 9/11, in my view, we still are not safe,” said Ball.

Ball will call on experts in law enforcement, emergency response, counter-terrorism, and Nonie Darwish, an Egyptian-born American and an outspoken critic of Islamic culture. Darwish and others will testify about the threat of radical Islam.

But the hearings draw the ire of groups who say Ball is unfairly targeting Muslims.

Critics have compared Ball to Long Island Rep. Peter King, whose hearings on the “radicalization” of American Muslims attracted national criticism.  

King will be called as a witness in today’s meeting. Eight Democrats in the state Senate have signed a letter in protest of the hearings.

Follow Emily Anne Epstein on Twitter at @EmilyatMetro.