CAIR-NY Joins Rally Against Anti-Muslim, Racist Graffiti

(NEW YORK, NY, 10/1/07) – The New York chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) today participated in a rally against racism and intolerance held at Columbia University in the wake of anti-Muslim and racist graffiti found last week in the International Affairs Building restroom.

The graffiti read: “Attention you pinko Commie motherf****rs and Arab Towelheads: America will wake up one day and nuke Mecca, Medina, Tehran, Baghdad, Jakarta, and all the savages in Africa. You will all be f*****! America is for White Europeans!&rdquo

SEE: Racist Graffiti Found in Bathroom Stall

The demonstration coincided with a student demonstration in support of the Jena Six.

Attendees, including members of the Muslim Student Association, the Black Student Organization, and the United Students of Color Council, marched to different locations on Columbia’s campus that had been reportedly affected by incidents of racial bias.

“From hanging a noose on a tree to scrawling anti-Muslim and racist graffiti on a campus bathroom stall, incidents of hate and intolerance continue to affect the safety of all minority communities,” said CAIR-NY Civil Rights Director Aliya Latif. “We urge the university’s administration to send an unequivocal message that bigotry will not be tolerated.&rdquo

CAIR, America’s largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 33 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. 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.

CONTACT: CAIR-NY Civil Rights Director Aliya Latif, 212-870-2002, 732-429-4268, alatif@cair.com