(WASHINGTON, D.C., 2/23/2022) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called for state and federal hate crime charges for a Maine man suspected of planning to bomb mosques in Chicago.
Prosecutors told a federal court judge yesterday that the man, who was arrested on Feb. 11 for possession of explosives, planned to carry out bombings at two mosques in Chicago. The man also reportedly planned to bomb a synagogue and kill more people until being shot by police. So far, he has been charged with one count of possession of an unregistered destructive device.
An FBI special agent told the court that metal items packed inside the devices were meant to increase the shrapnel expelled during an explosion.
SEE: Waterville man allegedly planned ‘mass murder’ in Chicago mosques
In a statement, CAIR Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell said:
“This disturbing case highlights the real threat posed by anti-Muslim bigotry, antisemitism and other forms of hate. We thank law enforcement authorities for stopping this alleged terrorist plot. We urge state and federal prosecutors to pursue hate crime charges in this case, and we urge law enforcement agencies nationwide to crack down on bias-motivated crime.”
He said the American Muslim community and CAIR stand in solidarity with all those challenging anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, antisemitism, white supremacy and all other forms of bigotry.
SEE: CAIR Condemns White Supremacist Vandalism of North Carolina Black Lives Matter Mural
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CAIR, CAIR-GA Welcome Hate Crime Convictions in Murder of Ahmaud Arbery
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 Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com