(WASHINGTON D.C, 6/2/2022) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and its New York chapter (CAIR-NY) today welcomed terrorism and hate crime charges against Payton Gendron, the man who killed 10 Black people in a racially-motivated mass shooting at a supermarket in Buffalo, NY last month.
Yesterday, a grand jury charged Gendron with domestic terrorism motivated by hate and 10 counts of first-degree murder. Gendron’s indictment consisted of 25 charges, including attempted murder as a hate crime and weapons possession.
SEE: Jury indicts Buffalo shooting suspect on terrorism charge
In a statement, CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell said:
“We welcome terrorism and hate crime charges against the racist, homicidal coward who targeted the African American community in Buffalo, killing 10 people. Law enforcement must take white supremacists seriously from the moment they spew their violent rhetoric because they are deadly serious. And Congress must take concrete action to ensure that these extremists can no longer massacre innocent people with such ease.”
CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher said:
“We hope these charges are the first step toward justice for the loved ones of those killed in this vicious attack. This attack highlights the seriousness of the threat posed by white supremacy to members of minority communities and our society as a whole. We must come together to repudiate violent bigotry and hold those who promote it accountable.”
CAIR and CAIR-NY previously condemned the shooting and urged accountability for those who promote bigotry.
SEE: CAIR, CAIR-NY Condemn Buffalo Mass Shooting by White Supremacist, Urge Accountability for Those Who Promote Bigotry
Last month, CAIR-NY joined community leaders in Buffalo for a rally against racism and gun violence.
SEE: CAIR-NY, Community Leaders to Hold Buffalo Rally Against Racism and Gun Violence
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: Afaf Nasher, Esq. Executive Director, CAIR-NY, 917-669-4006, anasher@cair.com; Ahmed Mohamed, CAIR-NY Legal Director, 646-481-2103, ahmedmohamed@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 Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com