CAIR Says Cancellation of Sept. 9 ACT for America Hate Rallies a 'Victory Over White Supremacy and Islamophobia'

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called the cancellation of a nationwide series of hate rallies previously scheduled for September 9 a "victory over white supremacy and Islamophobia."

SEE: Pro-Trump Rallies in 36 States Canceled, Will Be Held As Online Demonstrations
http://gizmodo.com/pro-trump-rallies-in-36-states-canceled-will-be-held-a-1798299229
Anti-Muslim Group Cancels Pro-Trump Rally in Downtown Orlando
https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2017/08/22/anti-muslim-group-cancels-pro-trump-rally-in-downtown-orlando

CAIR says the hate group ACT for America, the sponsor of the now-canceled "America First" rallies, has previously hosted many of the same white supremacist groups and exhibited the same bigoted themes witnessed at the Charlottesville "Unite the Right" racist rally.

SEE: CAIR's Islamophobia Monitor Profile of ACT for America
http://www.islamophobia.org/islamophobic-orgs/36-act-for-america.html 
The Hate That ACT for America Wrought
http://www.islamophobia.org/158-key-issues-in-islamophobia/207-the-hate-that-act-for-america-wrought.html 
CAIR Video: ACT for America is a Hate Group, Plain and Simple
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2BubWrtKHQ

Last week, CAIR called on officials in cities targeted by ACT for America's September 9 hate rallies to step up security measures to ensure public safety.

SEE: CAIR Urges Cities to Boost Security for Next Wave of Nationwide Hate Rallies on September 9
https://www.cair.com/press-center/press-releases/14537-cair-urges-cities-to-boost-security-for-next-wave-of-nationwide-hate-rallies-on-september-9.html

In a statement, CAIR said:

"This is a victory over white supremacy and Islamophobia.

"ACT for America is a hate group, plain and simple. During its rallies in June, the group hosted white supremacist organizations like Vanguard America and Identity Evropa. While ACT for America founder Brigitte Gabriel has been welcomed into the White House, we are inspired by the fact that mainstream America continues to reject the group's hateful message.

"CAIR thanks the many organizations and individuals participating in the ongoing peaceful pushback against the recent surge of white supremacy, Islamophobia and other forms of bigotry and racism.

"People of conscience are standing up to bigotry -- from spending long hours at airports during President Trump's Muslim ban, to counter-protesting racists in Boston this weekend.

"We look forward to continuing to work with Americans of all backgrounds to promote justice and mutual understanding."

Yesterday, CAIR issued "9 Steps to Dismantle White Supremacy and Islamophobia" in response to both the recent deadly terrorist attack on anti-racist protests in Charlottesville, Va., and the rise in Islamophobic sentiment and hate incidents in recent months.

SEE: CAIR Issues '9 Steps to Dismantle White Supremacy and Islamophobia'
https://www.cair.com/press-center/press-releases/14546-cair-issues-9-steps-to-dismantle-white-supremacy-and-islamophobia.html

In response to the recent spike in hate crimes targeting minorities, CAIR launched an app to share critical "know your rights" information and to simplify the process to report hate crimes and bias incidents. CAIR is urging American Muslims and members of other minority groups to download the app and utilize this resource to stay informed and empowered.

For a quick download of CAIR's civil rights app, click here: http://www.cair.com/app        

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 National Department to Monitor and Combat Islamophobia Director Corey Saylor, [email protected], 202-384-8857; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)

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