The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned an apparent violent threat by Florida state Sen. Randy Fine against two Muslim congresswomen, urged that state’s GOP to eject him from the party and called on state and federal law enforcement authorities to pursue a criminal investigation into Fine’s threat.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Fine appeared to threaten Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI). He wrote: “The ‘Hebrew Hammer’ is coming. @RashidaTlaib and @IlhanMN might consider leaving before I get there. #BombsAway.”
Washington, D.C., based CAIR also called on the United States Capitol Police to step up protection for the congresswomen.
Earlier this year, CAIR and its Florida chapter (CAIR-Florida) called for the Florida legislature to censure then state Rep. Fine after he posted an anti-Muslim tweet celebrating the murder of Turkish-American human rights activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi and appeared to call for more killing.
SEE: CAIR, CAIR-FL Call for Censure of Florida Lawmaker who Celebrated Israel’s Murder of American
In a statement, CAIR National Deputy Executive Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell said:
“Randy Fine is an unhinged anti-Muslim bigot whose apparent threat of violence against two congresswomen must be investigated by state and federal law enforcement authorities and condemned by both Democratic and Republican Party leadership. President-elect Donald Trump, in particular, should denounce Mr. Fine’s remarks and the Florida Republican Party should expel him.
“We also call on U.S. Capitol Police to step up protection for Representatives Omar and Tlaib to ensure their safety as they come under increasing threats from anti-Muslim and pro-genocide bigots like Randy Fine.”
He noted that CAIR has previously condemned anti-Muslim statements by Fine.
From January to June 2024, CAIR documented 4,951 incoming bias complaints nationwide, a 69 percent increase over the same period in 2023.
SEE: New CAIR Data Shows Anti-Muslim, Anti-Palestinian Hate Remain Elevated in First Half of 2024
Earlier this year, CAIR’s national office released its 2024 civil rights report, which revealed the highest number of complaints it has ever received in its 30-year history. Titled “Fatal: The Resurgence of Anti-Muslim Hate,” the report documented 8,061 complaints.
Nearly half of all complaints received in 2023 were reported in the final three months of the year.
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 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