(PHOENIX, AZ, 1/28/2022) – The Arizona chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Arizona), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned an anti-mask activist’s racist remarks targeting a Black lawmaker at the Arizona State Capitol.
According to State Rep. Reginald Bolding, a man approached him while he was speaking to a group of teachers and asked why he was “wearing a slave muzzle,” in reference to Rep. Bolding’s mask. The man has reportedly been seen with other elected officials who are running for governor, Congress, and who are in the state Senate.
SEE: Arizona anti-mask activist banned from state capitol over racist remark to Black state lawmaker
“We condemn this reprehensible, hateful incident and call on all those elected officials who have associated with the individual who made these comments to condemn the bigoted statements and commit to opposing racism and bigotry,” said CAIR-Arizona Executive Director Azza Abuseif.
Abuseif said the American Muslim community and CAIR stand in solidarity with all those challenging anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, white supremacy and all other forms of bigotry.
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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-Arizona Executive Director Azza Abuseif, aabuseif@cair.com, 602-349-1573; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com