The Arizona chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-AZ), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today joined some 30 statewide advocacy organizations in urging Republicans in the Arizona House of Representatives to take action against a GOP legislator who called for the execution of a Democratic congresswoman because she urged people upset with President Trump to peacefully protest in the streets.
Republican state Rep. John Gillette wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) was calling for the government to be overthrown and should be hanged.
SEE: Dozens of groups call on GOP leaders to punish John Gillette for execution threat
In a statement, CAIR-Arizona Executive Director Azza Abuseif said:
“Calls for political violence have no place in our democracy. Rep. Gillette’s statement is not only deeply irresponsible—it is dangerous. Public officials must be held to the highest standards, and suggesting a sitting congresswoman should be executed is beyond unacceptable. We stand in solidarity with Rep. Jayapal and with all those demanding accountability. Arizona’s elected leaders must make it clear that violent rhetoric will not be tolerated, regardless of party affiliation.”
END
CONTACT: CAIR-Arizona Executive Director Azza Abuseif, 480-704-3786, 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