(WASHINGTON D.C., 11/4/2021) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed approval of a plan to remove racist language from the Alabama state constitution.
On Wednesday, a committee gave official approval to a plan to remove racist language from Alabama’s 1901 constitution. The changes recommended by the Joint Interim Committee on the Recompilation of the Constitution will be turned into an amendment to be considered by the Alabama Legislature in the 2022 session. If approved by the legislature, the proposed changes will be put to voters in November 2022.
The proposed changes will remove a clause allowing for involuntary servitude “for the punishment of crime, of which the party shall have been duly convicted.” It will also remove language directing poll tax revenues to counties for education purposes. Poll taxes were historically used to disenfranchise Black voters. The changes would also remove a section allowing segregated schools.
SEE: Alabama seeks to purge racist language from Constitution
https://www.aldailynews.com/alabama-seeks-to-purge-racist-language-from-constitution/
Committee approves plan to remove racist language from state constitution
In a statement, CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw said:
“We welcome the planned removal of racist content from the Alabama state constitution. The legacy of systemic anti-Black racism and white supremacy in our nation must be challenged by leaders nationwide. We hope the efforts of Alabama lawmakers will inspire local and state governments nationwide to take similar measures to expunge racism from their institutions.”
McCaw noted that CAIR previously welcomed efforts to remove racist language from Alabama’s constitution.
SEE: CAIR Welcomes Effort to Remove Racist Language from Alabama Constitution, Removal of Photo Featuring Racist Symbol from Utah Police Facebook Page
CAIR Welcomes Vote to Remove Racist Language from Alabama’s Constitution, New Mississippi Flag
CAIR Supports Proposed Amendment to Remove Racist Language from Alabama’s Constitution
McCaw said the American Muslim community and CAIR are standing in solidarity with all those challenging anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, and white supremacy.
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La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com