(WASHINGTON, D.C., 8/24/2023) – 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 launch an investigation into alleged racist threats targeting the mayor of Newbern, Ala.
After Mayor Patrick Braxton, who is Black, was locked out of city hall following his election last year, he hired a lawyer and filed a lawsuit. The former mayor and city council say Braxton has been disqualified from the mayor’s office by the Alabama attorney general.
Within two weeks of filing the lawsuit, the mayor received threatening letters filled with racial slurs telling him that if he did not “get out of town,” they could “die or get burn[ed] down.” The letters have been handed over to the FBI, but the Bureau has not confirmed whether it has launched an investigation.
SEE: Racist message targets Newbern’s Black mayor Patrick Braxton (wvtm13.com)
“These alleged racist threats are deeply concerning and should be investigated by the FBI,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. “No private citizen or elected official should be subjected to such hate-fueled harassment and threats.”
He said Washington, D.C., based 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.
SEE: CAIR Condemns White Supremacist Demonstration at Tennessee Capitol
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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, 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 Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com