On Thursday, May 2, the Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Florida) will hold a news conference to call out the University of South Florida for tear-gassing and brutally arresting their students for peacefully protesting against the genocide in Gaza.
WHAT: CAIR FL and Partners to Address Recent Violence Against USF Students
WHEN: Thursday May 2 at 12:00 PM EST
WHERE: CAIR-FL Tampa Office, 8076 N 56th St, Tampa, FL 33617
WHO: CAIR-FL Representatives: Mari Marks, Policy Manager; Wilfredo A. Ruiz, Media and Outreach Director
Hassan Shibly, Muslim Legal
Dyma AbuOleim, Tampa Community Leader
USF Student
LIVESTREAM: instagram.com/cairflorida
CONTACT: CAIR-FL Outreach Coordinator Rema Alahmad, (925)202-9905, ralahmad@cair.com; CAIR-FL Outreach & Media Director Wilfredo A. Ruiz, (305)502-6749, wruiz@cair.com
CAIR-Florida will call on the Tampa community to call out University of South Florida and Hillsborough County Police Department for endangering and arrested students and peaceful anti-genocide protestors while they exercised their First Amendment right to protest and peacefully assemble.
In a statement, CAIR-Florida Executive Director, Imam Abdullah Jaber, said:
“The University of South Florida in its claim to protect students met peaceful protests with tear gas and police brutality at MLK Plaza. History is clear: when a movement to stand for the oppressed such as this ignites the hearts and minds of our young across our nation, it is the right side. So this is a betrayal of everything USF and law enforcement should represent. Where is the so-called safe space for students? This is not education protection, it’s violence and intimidation from USF and law enforcement.”
Media will have an opportunity to interview speakers following their introductory remarks.
CAIR-Florida mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR-Florida 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: Wilfredo A. Ruiz, Media & Outreach Director, 305-503-6749, wruiz@cair.com