CAIR-Kansas Seeks State, Federal Hate Crime Charges for Shooting of 'Middle Eastern' Men

KANSAS CITY, Kan., Feb. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Kansas chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Kansas) today called for state and federal hate crime charges to be brought against a man who allegedly shot two men – one of whom died – that he mistakenly thought were "Middle Eastern." A witness reportedly heard the suspect shout "get out of my country" shortly before the shooting occurred. A third person was injured in the incident.

SEE: Suspect in Olathe Shooting Allegedly Told Bartender He Killed Two Middle Eastern Men
http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article134459444.html

"Because of the alleged bias motive for this deadly attack, we urge state and federal law enforcement authorities to consider filing hate crime charges in order to send a strong message that violence targeting religious or ethnic minorities will not be tolerated," said CAIR-Kansas Board Chair Moussa Elbayoumy

Elbayoumy noted that two Kansas men were sentenced Wednesday for their roles in a hate attack on three Somali Muslims in that state.

SEE: 2 Kansas Men Sentenced for Hate Crime Attack Against Somalis 
http://cjonline.com/news/crime-courts/2017-02-22/2-kansas-men-sentenced-hate-crime-attack-against-somalis

He added that CAIR's national headquarters in Washington, D.C., has reported an unprecedented spike in hate incidents targeting Muslims and other minority groups since the November 8th election.

Video: FBI Probes North Carolina Threats to 'Kill' American Muslims (CAIR) 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zpcyep75HUo   
Video: CAIR Defends Florida Muslim Family Spit On at State Fair Grounds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbhQYmk2vtE  
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http://www.cair.com/press-center/press-releases/14116-cair-sacramento-welcomes-arrest-in-davis-islamic-center-hate-vandalism-case.html  

A soon-to-be-published CAIR report on Islamophobia in America is expected to show that 2016 was the worst year on record for incidents in which mosques were targets of bias.

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.

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CONTACT: CAIR-Kansas Board Chair Moussa Elbayoumy, 785-318-6323, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)

Related Links

http://www.cair.com