(WASHINGTON D.C., 3/8/2022) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today joined the call by community members for a public apology by a South Carolina county official who wore a Confederate flag on a T-shirt at a recent event.
Greenville County Councilmember Lynn Ballard wore the shirt to an event in a predominantly Black neighborhood. Ballard posted a photo online of himself wearing the shirt but has since deleted that post. He now says he did not realize the shirt included a Confederate flag and will address the issue at an upcoming county council meeting scheduled for March 15.
“Even if Councilmember Ballard did not realize that his shirt included an image of the Confederate flag, he should still publicly apologize for the discomfort and offense that the flag of treason and white supremacy caused for those participating in the event,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.
Hooper added that yesterday, CAIR supported efforts to change the names of streets named after Confederate and white supremacist personalities in Montgomery, Ala.
He also noted that CAIR has repeatedly called for the removal of Confederate holidays, flags, statues, and symbols nationwide.
SEE: CAIR Welcomes Removal of Confederate Monument from Louisiana Courthouse
CAIR Welcomes Move to Remove Nashville Confederate Monument from Park
CAIR Welcomes South Carolina Bill to Drop Confederate Memorial Day Holiday
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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 CAIR National Communications Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com