(ST. LOUIS, MO, 3/3/2023) – The Missouri chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MO) and the CAIR Legal Fund yesterday filed a lawsuit against several officials of the Missouri Department of Corrections (MDOC) who allegedly pepper-sprayed Muslim incarcerees as they prayed.
WATCH THE NEWS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCING THE FILING
Two years ago, a guard reportedly encountered Muslims praying together in their housing unit, just as they had done daily for months with the prison’s permission. This time, as they prayed, MDOC guards allegedly doused them in pepper spray and physically abused them, ultimately isolating them in cells with pepper spray still covering their bodies.
“The treatment these incarcerees were reportedly subjected to is appalling and in complete violation not only of their legal rights but their basic human dignity,” said CAIR-Missouri Board Chair Yasir Ali. “We are hopeful that justice will prevail in this case and those who are guilty will be held accountable.”
“This lawsuit is about holding state officials to account and upholding the rights of all citizens,” said CAIR Civil Rights Attorney Kimberly Noe-Lehenbauer. “Once a person enters a correctional facility, they do not lose their most basic rights and become an open target for violence and abuse.”
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-Missouri Board Chairman Yasir Ali, yali@cair.com, 314-722-6116; CAIR LDF Staff Attorney Kimberly Noe-Lehenbauer, knoelehenbauer@cair.com, (202) 516-4724; CAIR Senior Litigation Attorney Gadeir Abbas, 720-251-0425, gabbas@cair.com; 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