(WASHINGTON D.C., 9/20/2021) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called for the re-introduction of hate crime bills in the Wyoming legislature following the defeat of two proposed bills in that state.
Last Tuesday, the Judiciary Committee of the Wyoming Legislature voted against a bill that would have created a de facto hate crime law by updating statutory language. The committee also voted against a bill that would have brought the crime-reporting protocols of law enforcement agencies in the state in line with federal standards. The bills were initially proposed in June. Along with Arkansas and South Carolina, Wyoming remains one of three states without hate crime legislation.
SEE: Hate crime draft bills voted down by Judiciary Committee
“With racism and bigotry on the rise across the country, legislation protecting vulnerable communities is vital,” said CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw. “We urge lawmakers in Wyoming and nationwide to enact legislation providing strong penalties for bias-motivated crimes.”
McCaw noted that CAIR offered support for the legislation when it was proposed in June.
SEE: CAIR Supports Two Proposed Wyoming Hate Crime Bills
He also noted that CAIR has supported hate crime legislation in a number of states.
SEE: CAIR Supports Hate Crime Bills in South Carolina, Arkansas
CAIR Welcomes Expansion of Hate Crime Bill by Maryland State Legislature
CAIR-MN Calls for Updated Hate Crime Law After Anti-Muslim, Racist Graffiti Sprayed on Minnesota Mosque
McCaw 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.
SEE: CAIR Welcomes Civil Rights Complaint for Racist KKK Vandalism Targeting Pakistani-American in Maine
CAIR Calls on Maryland University to Provide Reasonable Prayer Accommodations for Muslims on Campus, Offer Cultural Competency Training for Staff
CAIR-MI Welcomes Hate Crime Charge Against Woman Who Assaulted Muslim Woman on Spirit Airlines
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 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