The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and its Missouri chapter (CAIR-Missouri) today welcomed as a “positive first step” the response of the national office of Girl Scouts of the USA to concerns a Missouri family and CAIR expressed after a troop in that state was reportedly threatened with legal action if it did not stop making and selling beaded bracelets to raise money for the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund.
SEE: Girl Scouts of the USA apologize to St. Louis troop raising money for Gaza – St. Louis Post-Dispatch
CAIR: Girl Scouts ‘regret any hurt caused’ by regional council trying to stop troop’s pro-Palestinian fundraiser – Fox
On Friday, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad and CAIR-Missouri Board Chairman Yasir Ali wrote to Girl Scouts of the USA Chief Executive Officer Bonnie Barczykowski requesting a lift on the fundraising ban.
In her reply to CAIR’s letter, Barczykowski wrote in part:
“We are disappointed and disheartened by what recently transpired. We sincerely regret any hurt caused…We recognize that greater clarity and additional education is needed regarding our Girl Scout fundraising policies.
“This is a learning moment for our organization as we realize we can always do better. We know we should always lead with empathy and recognize the incredible need for kindness and compassion during this difficult time. We are also deeply committed to advancing belonging, inclusion, and anti-racism as an organization and within our membership, and we will continue to ensure that we address all communities, including the Muslim and Arab communities.
“GSUSA will be working alongside our council partners to review this incident and make the necessary adjustments to prevent it from happening in the future. We realize we missed an opportunity to champion our troops while they make a difference.”
The troop restarted its independent fundraiser, braceletsForPalestine.bigcartel.com and have raised $10,000 for the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund.
“We welcome the Girl Scouts’ disavowal of the conduct of the state chapter, its expression of regret, and its commitment to ensure incidents like this do not happen again as positive first steps,” said CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell. “The Girl Scouts should now restore the policy that allowed troops to raise money for children and others impacted by the ongoing Gaza genocide, just as they did for Ukraine.”
In a statement, CAIR-Missouri Board Chairman Yasir Ali said:
“We appreciate the response from CEO of Girl Scouts National. However, we are still waiting to hear the reasons behind the stern response from Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri. CAIR-Missouri is willing to work with the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri to ensure that all troops are fully able to carry out the Girl Scouts’ mission to ‘make the world a better place.’ Their response to Troop 149 seemed political and partisan. In reality, all these Girl Scouts were trying to do was help the children impacted by the war, just like other troops did for Ukraine.”
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CONTACT: CAIR-Missouri Board Chairman Yasir Ali, yali@cair.com, 314-722-6116;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 Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com