Today, the Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), America’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, joined BRIDGE Maryland, a statewide coalition of over 24 congregations and faith leaders, in welcoming a hate crime charge for an alleged racist assault in Maryland.
Charles County law enforcement reported an armed confrontation on Oct. 20 outside a Tractor Supply store in White Plains, Maryland. Harold Andrew Howard, 53, of Waldorf, was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree assault and a race or religious crime after allegedly pointing a shotgun at two people and reportedly shouting, “I got something for you n*****s,” as he pointed the weapons at the victims.
“We condemn this incident and welcome the hate crime charge in this case,” said CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry. “As we have witnessed nationwide, bigoted views often result in violent actions targeting minority communities.”
“Hate can poison the fabric of a community, sowing division and mistrust among its members, leading to isolation and fear,” said Rev. Angelique Mason, President of BRIDGE Maryland and Pastor of Allen AME Church. “The resulting devastation manifests in broken relationships, lost opportunities for collaboration, and a pervasive sense of despair that stifles growth and unity.”
Chaudry said CAIR and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging systemic anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, antisemitism, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
BRIDGE Maryland uses intentional relationship building, organizing and intensive leadership development in order to strengthen congregations and faith leaders to demonstrate and advance justice in the world.
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CONTACT: CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, 410-971-6062, zchaudry@cair.com; CAIR Maryland Outreach Coordinator Kimberly Syuardi, ksyuardi@cair.com