(WASHINGTON D.C., 2/4/2022) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on the Biden administration to protect the free speech rights of American athletes during the Beijing Winter Olympics.
On Thursday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi warned American Olympic athletes not to speak out against the Chinese government. “Do not risk incurring the anger of the Chinese government, because they are ruthless,” Pelosi said before the Congressional-Executive Commission on China.
SEE: Olympics 2022: Nancy Pelosi warns against political protests
In a statement, CAIR Deputy Executive Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell said:
“Instead of discouraging American athletes from engaging in free speech during the Beijing Olympics, the United States should pledge to forcefully defend athletes who speak up about China’s genocide of Uyghur Muslims. We cannot let the Chinese Communist Party threaten, bully or intimidate American athletes into silence. President Biden, Speaker Pelosi and all elected officials should make it clear that we will protect every American athlete’s right to free speech.”
Mitchell noted that last month, CAIR urged Olympic athletes to defy China’s announced ban on political expression and speak out against the Uyghur Genocide.
SEE: CAIR Urges Olympic Athletes to Defy China Free Speech Ban, Speak Out Against Uyghur Genocide
He also noted that CAIR urged community members to call on U.S.-based corporations advertising during the Beijing Winter Olympics to speak out against the ongoing genocide targeting China’s Uyghur Muslim minority.
SEE: CAIR Action Alert: Call on Beijing Olympics Advertisers Coca-Cola, Intel, Airbnb, Procter & Gamble, Visa to Speak Out Against Uyghur Genocide
TAKE ACTION: Urge China Olympics Advertisers Coca-Cola, Intel, Visa, Others to Speak Out Against Uyghur Genocide
CAIR supported a call by U.S. lawmakers for the U.N. to release a report on Xinjiang Province, where the Chinese government is conducting its genocide against Uyghur Muslims and other Turkic minorities.
SEE: CAIR Supports Lawmakers’ Call for U.N. to Release Report on Xinjiang Ahead of Beijing Olympics
Last December, CAIR welcomed the Biden administration’s announcement of a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
SEE: BREAKING: CAIR Welcomes Biden Administration’s Diplomatic Boycott of Beijing Olympics
Last year CAIR and over 40 international partners announced a global boycott of the Hilton Corporation over its licensing of a Hampton Inn to be built over the ruins of a bulldozed Uyghur mosque in the city of Hotan.
Full Video: CAIR, Coalition Announce Boycott of Hilton Over Hotel on Site of Uyghur Mosque in China
The coalition also launched a Change.org petition drive asking signatories to take a pledge “to join the global boycott of ALL Hilton-owned hotels until the company cancels its plan to establish a hotel on the site of a bulldozed Uyghur mosque in China.”
GO TO: https://www.change.org/BoycottHilton
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 to 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]; CAIR National Communications Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, [email protected]