(WASHINGTON D.C., 9/8/2021) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on an Auburn, Maine, city councilor city to resign over racist remarks he made targeting Black people.
During a public meeting Tuesday, Auburn, Maine, city Councilor Leroy Walker said that “dark-colored people” breaking laws in the south constituted a “black mark” on the legacy of a Black former mayor of Auburn. During the meeting, the city council was discussing the prospect of renaming a bridge in the town after the mayor. The councilor said he did not oppose the move to rename the bridge, but that he had heard from white residents that the “timing was bad” and that it was being done only to appease the Black community.
SEE: Racist comments by Auburn city councilor arise during vote to name bridge after John Jenkins
“When any national, state or local official exhibits racist views, it is an indication that he or she cannot equitably represent a diverse community,” said CAIR National Communications Coordinator Ismail Allison. “We condemn Mr. Walker’s racist statements and urge him to resign.”
Allison 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.
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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 Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]