The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today repeated its condemnation South Carolina’s celebration of “Confederate Memorial Day” as a state holiday. That holiday is on May 10, but marked by government offices on May 9 this year.
SEE: South Carolina still recognizes Confederate Memorial Day. Make it stop | Opinion
May 10 is the anniversary of Confederate Gen. “Stonewall” Jackson’s death and of the capture of Confederate States of America President Jefferson Davis in 1865.
SEE: Confederate Memorial Day is near. Here’s what to know about the controversial ‘holiday’
“We again call on South Carolina lawmakers and public officials to drop this offensive tribute to those traitors who sought to continue the heinous practice of slavery and to divide our nation in the defense of white supremacy,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.
Last month, CAIR reiterated its condemnation of Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves’ proclamation naming April as Confederate Heritage Month and April 28 as Confederate Memorial Day.
Washington, D.C., based CAIR condemned similar proclamations in past years and in other states.
Hooper said CAIR has repeatedly called for the removal of Confederate names, holidays, flags, statues, and symbols nationwide.
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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