(WASHINGTON D.C., 9/23/2021) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on the South Carolina Legislature to repeal a law protecting Confederate monuments after it was upheld by the state Supreme Court.
South Carolina’s Heritage Act, which prevents colleges and local governments from removing monuments honoring Confederate and segregationist figures, was unanimously upheld by the South Carolina Supreme Court on Wednesday. The law was initially passed in 2000 as part of a compromise to remove the Confederate flag from the South Carolina Statehouse dome. The Court’s ruling struck down a requirement for a two-thirds approval of the General Assembly for a move or name change.
SEE: South Carolina’s Confederate monument protection law upheld
In a statement, CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw said:
“This law is a blatant example of government overreach and meddling in local affairs, and it is being done only to preserve monuments to white supremacy and systemic anti-Black racism. We urge the South Carolina State Legislature to repeal this law, and urge elected officials nationwide to rid their communities of symbols of racist hate.”
He noted that CAIR has urged and supported the removal of Confederate monuments across the country.
SEE: CAIR Renews Call for Removal of N.C. Confederate Monument, Calls for Removal of Other Confederate Monument in State
CAIR Welcomes Maryland County Council’s Vote to Relocate Confederate Statue From Public Property
CAIR Supports Lawsuit to Remove Tuskegee, Ala. Confederate Monument
McCaw said the American Muslim community and CAIR stand in solidarity with all those challenging anti-Asian and anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.
SEE: BREAKING: CAIR Renews Call for Firing of Fox Host Tucker Carlson After His Promotion of White Supremacist ‘Great Replacement’ Conspiracy Theory
CAIR Questions Why Maryland Mosque Applicants Were Left Out of $3 Million Grant for Hate Crime Prevention
CAIR-SV/CC Files Motion to Unseal Important Evidence in Omar Ameen Case
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: [email protected], CC [email protected]
END
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]