(WASHINGTON, D.C., 2/18/2023) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate an incident involving a Nazi flag allegedly used to intimidate Jewish worshipers at a North Carolina synagogue as a possible hate crime.
Police in Boone, N.C., were called to the Temple of the High Country Wednesday night after someone reportedly waved a flag with a Nazi swastika on the property. Police recovered the flag, which was reportedly draped over the temple’s sign, but the person who allegedly waved it had left. A photo of a suspect has been released.
Local media indicate that the incident is not being investigated as a hate crime. Boone Police Chief Andy Lebeau said, “My personal opinion, it’s a very hateful act but not necessarily a hate crime.”
SEE: Police respond to person waving antisemitic flag at Jewish temple in Boone
BPD looking for person of interest after swastika flag draped over Temple of the High Country sign
“We urge state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate all the facts in this disturbing incident to determine whether a hate crime has been committed,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. “Everyone has the right to free speech – even bigots – but they do not have the right to intimidate or harass minority communities at their houses of worship.”
He noted that last year, CAIR’s New Jersey office responded to incidents of alleged ethnic and religious harassment and perceived bias-motivated intimidation that similarly targeted mosques in that state.
Hooper said CAIR and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging antisemitism, systemic anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.
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.
Become a Fan of CAIR on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/CAIRNational
Subscribe to CAIR’s Email List
https://action.cair.com/a/newsletters
Subscribe to CAIR’s Twitter Feed
http://twitter.com/cairnational
Subscribe to CAIR’s YouTube Channel
Follow CAIR on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/cair_national/
Donate to CAIR
https://action.cair.com/a/donate
Do you like reading CAIR press releases and taking part in our action alerts? You can help contribute to CAIR’s work of defending civil rights and empowering American Muslims across the country by making a one-time contribution or becoming a monthly donor. Supporters like you make CAIR’s advocacy work possible and defeating Islamophobia an achievable goal. Click here to donate to CAIR.
If you would like to join CAIR’s media list, please sign up here: https://action.cair.com/a/newsletters — For more information, email: info@cair.com, CC ihooper@cair.com
END
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 Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com