The Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-FL), the state’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the presence of neo-Nazis and anti-Muslim protesters who targeted a public meeting at the Dr. Andre Fladell South County Civic Center in Delray Beach.
The public gathering, organized to discuss agricultural reserve development in Palm Beach County, erupted into hostile anti-Muslim demonstrations following online misinformation alleging the meeting was called to approve a local Islamic center and school. Tensions escalated when individuals reportedly displaying neo-Nazi imagery joined the protest.
One observer of the anti-Muslim protest wrote:
“An individual with a well-documented history of antisemitic and anti-Muslim rhetoric, white-supremacist advocacy and promotion of far-right Christian nationalism held his own mini-rally and what amounted to an impromptu press conference.
“What disturbed me most was watching people from different religious, ethnic and political backgrounds cheer him on. Perhaps some did not know his history, but some certainly did.”
SEE: I went to the Islamic Center meeting. This is the blind hatred I saw – Palm Beach Post
In a statement, CAIR-Florida Communications Director Wilfredo Ruiz said:
“We unequivocally condemn the display of anti-Muslim bigotry and neo-Nazi intimidation that targeted community members in Delray Beach. It is deeply troubling to see bad-faith actors weaponize public forums to spread Islamophobia, incite division, and intimidate local Muslim families.
“We call on Palm Beach County elected officials and law enforcement agencies to take a firm, public stance against hate speech, protect religious minorities, and ensure that public municipal meetings remain safe and welcoming environments for all residents regardless of their faith.”
CAIR-FL notes that false narratives posted on social media fueled the hostility surrounding the meeting. County officials confirmed that the agenda focused solely on broad zoning and environmental discussions regarding the Agricultural Reserve, rather than the approval of any specific religious construction project.
CAIR’s latest civil rights report documented 8,683 anti-Muslim bias complaints in 2025 – the highest number ever recorded by the organization since it began publishing civil rights reports in 1996.
Washington, D.C.-based CAIR recently said it has documented 17 incidents targeting Islamic places of worship in May, June, and July to date. The 17 incidents represent 51 percent of the previous year’s total and a 183 percent increase over the same three-month period last year, during which CAIR documented six such incidents.
CAIR recently responded to a number of anti-Muslim hate incidents nationwide.
CAIR also highlighted a new report revealing how municipal zoning laws, conditional use permits, and local administrative processes are frequently used to mask systemic discrimination against proposed mosques.
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: Wilfredo Ruiz, CAIR-Florida Communications Director, (305) 502-6749, [email protected]; Chelsea Mandrigues, CAIR-Florida Communications Coordinator, (813) 705-5440, [email protected]; CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, [email protected]; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, [email protected]