The Arizona chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Arizona), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed a letter sent to Arizona legislators signed by dozens of local civil rights, advocacy and faith-based organizations who strongly oppose a defamatory resolution attacking CAIR-Arizona by anti-Muslim lawmaker Rep. John Gillette, who has previously referred to Muslims as “savages.”
Last year, CAIR-AZ joined some 30 statewide advocacy organizations in urging Republicans in the Arizona House of Representatives to take action against Gillette, who called for the execution of a Democratic congresswoman because she urged people upset with administration policies to peacefully protest.
In a statement, CAIR-Arizona Executive Director Azza Abuseif said:
“CAIR-Arizona thanks all our colleagues, partners and neighbors who have taken a brave and principled stand against this hateful resolution introduced by a lawmaker who once referred to American Muslims as ‘savages.’ Arizonans who believe in the Constitution and justice stand united in opposition to attempts to smear organizations advocating for civil rights amid an unprecedented crackdown on our freedoms. Mr. Gillette should know that the people of Arizona will not stand for the unjust targeting of the Arizona Muslim community or other communities across our diverse state.”
SEE:Coalition Letter to Arizona Legislators
Yesterday, a House committee voted along party lines to advance a symbolic resolution attacking CAIR-Arizona that was introduced by Rep. John Gillette, a legislator who has referred to Muslims as “savages.” CAIR-Arizona and its partners plan to continue opposing the resolution and other attempts to target Arizonans advocating for civil rights, free speech, immigrant rights, and justice for all amid an unprecedented erosion of constitutional rights nationwide.
SEE: Republican who called Muslims ‘f***ing savages’ wants an advocacy group declared a terrorist outfit – Arizona Mirror
In the letter sent to all members of the Arizona House of Representatives and Senate, 30 organizations representing diverse communities and causes said, in part:
“The undersigned organizations write in strong opposition to Arizona’s HCM 2002 and to H.R. 4097, which urge the designation of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as a terrorist organization. This resolution is built on false claims, misleading narratives, and recycled allegations that have never been substantiated by facts or upheld by any court of law….
“Equally troubling is the harmful impact this resolution will have on Muslim communities in Arizona and across the country. Singling out a Muslim civil rights organization through unfounded allegations promotes fear, deepens division, and emboldens discrimination. It sends a dangerous message that Muslim institutions may be targeted without evidence or due process, chilling the civic participation of American Muslims and discouraging their engagement with the democratic institutions that should protect all residents equally.
“We support lawful and fact-based efforts to combat violence and extremism. However, policies rooted in misinformation and political targeting undermine those goals and damage public trust in government.
“We also note with concern that HCM 2002’s primary legislative sponsor has a documented record of anti-Muslim rhetoric, including public statements describing Muslims as “savages” and accusing Muslim immigrants of “subversion.” Such statements suggest this legislation is rooted not in legitimate security concerns, but in religious animus, precisely the kind of government action the First Amendment was designed to prohibit.
“For these reasons, we urge lawmakers to reject HCM 2002 and H.R. 4097, and instead uphold the constitutional principles of due process, equal protection, and religious freedom.”
Signing organizations include:
• ACLU of Arizona
• All Voting is Local Action
• Arizona Students Association
• AZ AANHPI Advocates
• Chispa Arizona
• Civic Engagement Beyond Voting
• Common Cause Arizona
• Common Defense
• Council on American-Islamic Relations Arizona
• DSC Conference of the UMC
• Episcopal Diocese of Arizona
• Foothills Christian Church
• Fuerte Arts Movement
• Instituto
• Jesuits West CORE
• League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
• Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Arizona (LAMA)
• Mi Familia Vota
• Muslim Public Affairs Council
• National Lawyers Guild – Arizona State University Chapter
• One Arizona
• Opportunity Arizona
• Poder in Action
• Presbytery of Grand Canyon and de Cristo
• Progress Arizona
• Rural Arizona Engagement
• Tomorrow We Vote
• UnidosUS
• Vets Forward
• Wingbeat 88
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CONTACT: CAIR Arizona Executive Director Azza Abuseif, 602-349-1573, aabuseif@cair.com; 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