The Pittsburgh chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Pittsburgh), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the racist and neo-Nazi defacement of two public murals by Pittsburgh-based artist Kyle Holbrook, known nationally for his powerful works on social justice and community unity.
The murals—one in Miami, Florida, and another in Oakland, California—were defaced with hate symbols and slurs, including the N-word, the F-word, and a swastika. The disturbing vandalism comes amid a troubling rise in hate incidents targeting marginalized communities across the country.
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In a statement, CAIR-Pittsburgh Executive Director Christine Mohamed said:
“We stand in full solidarity with artist Kyle Holbrook and his unwavering commitment to speaking truth through art. Attempts to silence messages of justice and inclusion through racist and neo-Nazi vandalism are not only vile but deeply alarming. It is devastating to witness our country becoming so divided by hatred toward marginalized communities.
“If we truly want to progress as a society, we must reject these abhorrent acts and confront the ideologies that fuel them. There is no place for this hatred in our communities—only space for unity, dignity, and peace.”
CAIR-Pittsburgh urges authorities to take these acts of vandalism seriously and to send a clear message that hate has no place in public spaces or our broader society.
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 Pittsburgh Executive Director Christine Mohamed, 412-606-3601, cmohamed@cair.com