(MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 6/8/2017) – – Tomorrow, the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN), largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, will hold a news conference at its office, to respond to ACT for America’s planned anti-Muslim protest to be held at the Minnesota State Capitol on Saturday, June 10th.
[MEDIA NOTE: CAIR’s news conference will be live-streamed on its Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CAIR.Minnesota/]
- WHAT: CAIR & Community Leaders to Hold News Conference to Respond to ACT for America’s anti-Muslim demonstration.
- WHEN: Friday, June 9th, 11:00 a.m.
- WHERE: CAIR-MN offices 2511 East Franklin Ave Suite #100, Minneapolis, MN 55406
- CONTACT: CAIR-MN Executive Director Jaylani Hussein, 612-406-0070, jhussein@cair.com;
Leaders from Interfaith and Social Justice Groups will be in attendance.
Coalition of Minnesota Groups are planning for events on Saturday. The details of the events will be shared at the press conference.
The leading sponsor of the rallies, Brigitte Gabriel’s ACT for America, has been designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). The SPLC has named “Brigitte Gabriel” as a member of the nation’s “Anti-Muslim Inner Circle.”
Gabriel has argued that, “America is at stage two Islamic Cancer.” She believes “every practicing Muslim is a radical Muslim,” a Muslim “cannot be a loyal citizen of the United States,” and that Arabs “have no soul.”
CAIR Islamophobia Monitor: ACT for America
SPLC: Anti-Muslim Inner Circle
Video: ACT for America is a Hate Group, Plain and Simple
Saylor noted that ACT for America’s official Facebook page promoting the hate rallies is full of racist and violent content targeting Islam and Muslims.
SEE: ACT for America’s “March Against Sharia” Official Facebook Page Full of Racist Anti-Muslim Sentiment
The hate rally in Arkansas is being organized by longtime neo-Nazi Billy Roper. Roper promoted the event on a neo-Nazi message board founded by a former Ku Klux Klan leader. He claims that representatives of his network will take part in ACT for America rallies in Indiana, New York, California, and Texas.
SEE: Neo-Nazi Billy Roper Organizing ACT for America’s “March Against Sharia” in Arkansas
Joey Gibson, a leader of the group “Patriot Prayer,” is helping to organize the ACT for America rally in Seattle. Jeremy Joseph Christian, who allegedly stabbed to death two men who came to the defense of a Muslim woman recently in Portland, Ore., attended one of that group’s rallies. Gibson acknowledged that some rallies attracted “legitimate Nazis.”
SEE: Portland Uneasy; Suspect Shouts ‘You’ve Got No Safe Place!’
Anti-government and racist groups such Oath Keepers, Proud Boys, American Civil Defense, Three Percenters, and White Lives Mater are also supporting the ACT for America hate rallies.
SEE: White Supremacists Are Planning a Day of Action Against Muslims
ACT for America’s anti-Muslim bigotry was highlighted recently in a Washington Post exposé.
SEE: This group believes Islam threatens America: ‘It’s a spiritual battle of good and evil.’
SEE: SPLC’s ACT for America Fires Prominent Chapter Leader, But Many Racists Remain
SEE: CAIR Asks Mosques Nationwide to Take Added Safety Measures Prior to Anti-Islam Rallies October 10
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.
– END –
CONTACT: CAIR-MN Executive Director Jaylani Hussein, 612-406-0070, jhussein@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com