CAIR Condemns DC-Area Hate Incidents Targeting African-American Community

WASHINGTON, June 1, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned hate incidents targeting the African-American community in the Washington, D.C., area.

[MEDIA NOTE: CAIR today also urged President Trump not to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement. SEE: https://tinyurl.com/CAIRParisAccord ]

A noose, a symbol often used by racists to intimidate African-Americans, was found Wednesday at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Another noose was recently found hanging from a tree at the Hirshhorn Museum.

SEE: Noose Found at Exhibit in African American Smithsonian Museum
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/noose-found-at-exhibit-in-african-american-smithsonian-museum/2017/05/31/ce0eccf6-464e-11e7-a196-a1bb629f64cb_story.html 
Our ugly racism's newest artifact: the noose left at the African American Museum
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/our-ugly-racisms-newest-artifact-the-noose-left-at-the-african-american-museum/2017/06/01/fc0cdc98-46b6-11e7-a196-a1bb629f64cb_story.html

In Frederick County Maryland, law enforcement authorities are investigating an incident in which a racial slur was spray-painted on an African-American man's car over the weekend. The car's owner found the words "Die [N-word]" spray-painted on his vehicle.

SEE:  Sheriff's Deputies Investigating Hate Crime in Ballenger Creek Area
https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/crime_and_justice/sheriff-s-deputies-investigating-hate-crime-in-ballenger-creek-area/article_06d9541b-6cf4-58f7-8420-ef2457202008.html 

"These hate incidents are symptomatic of the increasing level of bigotry witnessed nationwide targeting African-Americans, Muslims, immigrants, and other minority groups," said CAIR Maryland Outreach Manager Dr. Zainab Chaudry. "It will take strong and sustained action by our nation's leaders to reverse this troubling trend."

She noted that CAIR recently condemned the suspected bias-motivated murder of Bowie State University student, Richard Collins III, at the University of Maryland.

SEE: CAIR Condemns Murder of Maryland College Student by Suspect with White Supremacist Links
https://www.cair.com/press-center/press-releases/14341-cair-condemns-murder-of-maryland-college-student-by-suspect-with-white-supremacist-links.html

Chaudry said CAIR has reported an unprecedented spike in hate incidents targeting American Muslims and other minority groups since the November 8 election.

SEE: CAIR Asks Feds to Probe Allegedly Bias-Motivated Arson at Texas Muslim-Owned Business
https://www.cair.com/press-center/press-releases/14364-cair-asks-feds-to-probe-allegedly-bias-motivated-arson-at-texas-muslim-owned-business.html

Last month, CAIR released a report showing a 57 percent increase in anti-Muslim incidents in 2016 over the previous year. This spike in anti-Muslim incidents was accompanied by a 44 percent increase in anti-Muslim hate crimes during the same period.

SEE: New CAIR Report Shows More than 50 Percent Spike in Anti-Muslim Incidents
https://www.cair.com/press-center/14322-new-cair-report-shows-more-than-50-percent-spike-in-anti-muslim-incidents.html

The Washington-based civil rights and advocacy organization urges community members to report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR's Civil Rights Department at 202-742-6420 or by filing a report at: http://www.cair.com/report

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.

CONTACT: CAIR Maryland Outreach Manager Dr. Zainab Chaudry, 410-971-6062, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)

Related Links

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