(WASHINGTON, D.C., 12/27/16) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today expressed solidarity with the Jewish community in Montana after neo-Nazis announced plans to stage an armed, anti-Semitic march in that state.
A leader of the neo-Nazi movement announced plans for the hate march in Whitefish, Montana, home of another influential white supremacist Richard Spencer. Neo-Nazis and other white supremacists say they will march “against Jews, Jewish businesses and everyone who supports either.†A graphic announcing the march included an image to of the Auschwitz death camp and a Jewish Star of David with the word “Jude†in it. The march is scheduled for an unspecified date in January.
SEE: Neo-Nazis Target Jews in Armed March in Alt-Right Leader Richard Spencer's Hometown
“American Muslims stand in solidarity with the Jewish community in Montana and nationwide against the hatred and threats spewed by neo-Nazis and other white supremacists,†said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. “All Americans should speak out strongly whenever fellow citizens are targeted by anti-Semitism or any other form of bigotry.â€
Earlier this month, CAIR’s Greater Los Angeles Area chapter expressed similar solidarity with the Christian community in that state following apparent hate vandalism targeting an Assyrian church in San Fernando, Calif.
CAIR and the American Muslim community has in the past expressed solidarity with Jewish, Christian, Native American, African-American, and Sikh communities in New Mexico, Florida, South Carolina, Maryland, Alabama, Massachusetts, South Dakota, Ohio, Texas, and other states following acts of hate, violence, vandalism, arson, or bombings.
- SEE: CAIR, Coalition Partners Condemn Latest Incident of Nooses Discovered in Calvert County, Md.
- CAIR-Cincinnati, CAIR-Alabama Condemn Nazi Vandalism Targeting Interracial Couples
- CAIR Welcomes Denial of Easement for Dakota Access Pipeline
- CAIR Condemns Threat and Vandalism Targeting Home of Jewish Professor in Oberlin, Ohio
CAIR’s national headquarters in Washington, D.C., has noted an unprecedented spike in hate incidents targeting Muslims and other minority groups since the November 8 election.
- SEE: CAIR-OK Urges FBI to Join Hate Crime Probe of Pig Carcass Dumped at Islamic Center
- CAIR-LA Welcomes Arrest of Suspect in Stabbing of Muslim Near Simi Valley Mosque
- CAIR-NY Welcomes Sentencing of White Supremacist in Anti-Muslim Plot, Arrest of Man Who Assaulted Muslim Woman
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/civil-rights/report-an-incident/view/form.html   Â
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 National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com Â