WASHINGTON, Aug. 12, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest
Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned an
apparent terror attack on anti-racist protesters at a gathering of
white supremacists, neo-Nazis, the KKK, and other racists in
Charlottesville, Va.
[NOTE: A representative of CAIR's New York chapter joined clergy and faith
leaders in Charlottesville to show
spiritual opposition to the racist rally. CAIR-NY Board Member
Sahar Alsahlani was on hand to offer pastoral care immediately
after today's apparent terror attack.]
Hundreds of racists from around the nation attended the "Unite
the Right" rally on Saturday, to challenge the removal of a statue
of Confederate General Robert E. Lee
from a city park. One person was killed and at least 26 were
injured when a car drove into a crowd of people peacefully
protesting the racist rally.
Last week, CAIR condemned the racist rally and urged cities
nationwide to remove Confederate memorials.
SEE: CAIR Condemns Planned White Supremacist Rally in
Virginia, Urges Rejection of
Confederate Memorials
Nationwide
https://www.cair.com/press-center/press-releases/14520-cair-condemns-planned-white-supremacist-rally-in-virginia-urges-rejection-of-confederate-memorials-nationwide.html
Earlier today, President Trump blamed "many sides" for the
violence between the anti-racist protesters and white supremacists
in Charlottesville and failed to
specifically repudiate the white supremacists, neo-Nazis or the KKK
who organized the "Unite the Right" rally.
SEE: Trump Blames 'Many Sides' for Violence in Charlottesville
http://time.com/4898272/donald-trump-charlottesville-violence-rally/
In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:
"We condemn this apparent act of domestic terrorism targeting
anti-racist protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia, and urge all
Americans to denounce the racists and Islamophobes brought to that
city by the 'Unite the Right' rally.
"Virginia Governor
Terry McAuliffe today rightly called
out the 'white supremacists and the Nazis' -- saying 'go home, you
are not wanted. . .shame on you, you pretend that you are patriots,
but you are anything but a patriot' -- something President Trump
failed to do in his weak reaction to the terror attack.
"President Trump's reluctance to both denounce the act of
terrorism and to call out the white supremacist and racists groups
by name constitutes a failure of moral leadership and sends the
wrong message to newly-empowered racist groups nationwide."
GOP Sen. Marco Rubio echoed
CAIR's views when he tweeted: "Very important for the nation to
hear @potus describe events in #Charlottesville for what they are,
a terror attack by #whitesupremacists"
CAIR said it has witnessed an unprecedented increase in hate
incidents targeting members of minority groups since the election
of Donald Trump.
SEE: American Mosques -- and American Muslims -- are Being
Targeted for Hate Like Never Before
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/nation-world/article/American-mosques-and-American-Muslims-are-11742354.php
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 recently 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 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 Communications Director
Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726,
ihooper@cair.com
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SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)