The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned racist vandalism reportedly at the new Nissan Stadium construction site in Nashville, Tennessee, weeks after work stopped temporarily after a noose was found on site.
[NOTE: The racist graffiti was found weeks after the Tennessee Builders Alliance and Metro Nashville Police Department investigated a noose hanging from the ceiling of the stadium construction project. “Although a person of interest was sought and later questioned in the noose investigation, police declined to file charges, citing a lack of eyewitnesses and evidence.”]
In a statement, CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper said:
“We condemn this act of racist vandalism. The presence of such racist hate at a major construction site is a reminder of the persistence of racism and the need for a zero-tolerance approach to bigotry in all forms. We call on law enforcement authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure accountability. Hate has no place in our workplaces or communities.”
Hooper urged the stadium’s developers, contractors, and local officials to take all necessary steps to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all workers, and to implement anti-bias training and protocols to prevent further incidents.
He said CAIR and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging antisemitism, systemic anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.
Last month, CAIR expressed support for a group of residents in Williamson County, Tennessee, who are asking county commissioners to request a waiver from the Tennessee Monuments and Memorial Commission to change the county seal, which includes a Confederate flag.
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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