The San Francisco Bay Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SFBA), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today strongly condemned the recent abhorrent statement made by an unidentified individual in San Francisco, who threatened sexual violence against Arabs at a peaceful Palestinian protest.
In a video posted on X, a pro-Palestine protester, standing in front of a chalk-written “Gaza We Are With You” sign on the sidewalk, can be heard telling an unidentified man, “Don’t come near me.” After an inaudible exchange, the man states that he’s going to “rape all Arabs.”
SEE: X Video
In a statement, CAIR-SFBA Executive Director Zahra Billoo said, “Such threats of sexual violence against Arabs or any population are alarming and unacceptable. We stand with the Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim communities and urge them to remain vigilant and report any form of hate speech or threats immediately.”
This latest incident is part of a disturbing trend of hate incidents and crimes against different religious and cultural communities in the Bay Area, including the recent vandalism of pro-Palestine banners in San Jose, a menorah at Lake Merritt in Oakland, and a Hindu temple in Newark.
SEE: CAIR-SFBA Condemns Vandalism of Lake Merritt Menorah in Oakland
SEE: CAIR-SFBA Condemns Vandalism at Hindu Temple in Newark, Calls for Justice and Solidarity
CAIR-SFBA calls on all communities of faith, especially pro-Palestine peace activists, to increase awareness and vigilance in these challenging times and reiterates its commitment to combating bigotry, racism, and hate in all its forms.
Anyone experiencing acts of aggression, racism, and Islamophobia is urged to contact CAIR-SFBA’s Civil Rights Department at 408.986.9874.
CAIR-SFBA is an office of CAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-SFBA Senior Communications Coordinator Lorrie Adam, ladam@cair.com, 408.986.9874