(WASHINGTON D.C., 8/15/2022) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on law enforcement authorities to investigate a possible bias motive in vandalism targeting a Catholic school in Washington, D.C.
St. Anthony Catholic School in D.C.’s Brookland neighborhood was vandalized last week. The perpetrators ripped benches from the ground, damaged the building, and cut the head off of a statue of St. Anthony. School officials believe the attack may have been a hate crime. The school reported the vandalism on Friday and filed the police report on Sunday. They expect their case number to be sent back to them today.
SEE: NE DC Catholic school target of vandalism, leaders believe as part of hate crime
Vandals target St. Anthony Catholic School in DC; school officials call destruction a hate crime
“All communities of faith deserve to feel safe and secure in their religious institutions,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. “We stand in solidarity with the students and faculty of St. Anthony Catholic School and urge law enforcement to launch a hate crime investigation into this abhorrent attack.”
He 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.
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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 National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, [email protected]; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, [email protected]