(WASHINGTON D.C., 7/22/2022) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today repeated its call on Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin to withdraw his appointment of Ann McLean to the state’s Historical Resources Board after she doubled down on her defense of the Confederacy.
Ann McLean, a historian appointed by Governor Youngkin to Virginia’s Historical Resources Board last week, has been the subject of controversy due to previous comments she made on a Richmond radio show defending Confederate statues. McLean seemed to double down when she returned to the show on Monday, saying the southern states had a right to secede and did not commit treason. She also compared President Lincoln calling up troops against the Confederacy to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
A spokesperson for Governor Youngkin said the governor believes that the statues referenced by McLean “should be preserved in a museum or another facility.” He also noted that the governor disagrees with McLean’s comments on Ukraine and believes they were inappropriate.
SEE: Youngkin’s pick for Historic Resources Board under fire for defending the Confederacy
In a statement, CAIR Research and Advocacy Director Corey Saylor said:
“President Lincoln acted to preserve the nation whose freedoms Ms. McLean enjoys today. Those who abandoned our nation to form the Confederacy did so illegally and for the primary purpose of holding human beings as property.
“We are glad to hear that Governor Youngkin does not share these views, but he must withdraw his appointment of Ms. McLean to make it clear that her views do not reflect the values of the state or its government.”
Saylor noted that CAIR initially called on Governor Youngkin to withdraw his appointment of McLean earlier this month.
SEE: CAIR Calls on Va. Governor to Rescind Appointment of Confederate Statue Defender to Historic Resources Board
He also noted that CAIR previously called on Virginia’s Lt. Governor Winsome Sears to repudiate her alleged ties with a notorious anti-Muslim hate group leader with who has proclaimed that Arabs “have no soul” and that a practicing Muslim “cannot be a loyal citizens of the United States.”
SEE: CAIR Calls on Virginia Lt. Governor Sears to Repudiate Hate Group Leader
Opinion | Is Virginia’s lieutenant governor paying attention to her friends?
CAIR has repeatedly called for the removal of Confederate holidays, flags, statues, and symbols nationwide.
SEE: CAIR Welcomes Novant Health’s Withdrawal of Sponsorship for N.C. Fourth of July Parade with Confederate Imagery
CAIR Supports West Virginia High School Student Targeted by Confederate Flag Backlash
CAIR Backs Renaming Va. Memorial to Confederate General, Cherokee Tribe Request to Rename N.C. Mountain
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 Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com