The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today expressed solidarity with 18 Million Rising (18MR) after the Wellspring Philanthropic Fund cut funding over a social media post by the organization expressing support for Palestine.
CAIR also called on the Wellspring Philanthropic Fund to restore 18MR’s funding.
After 18MR expressed support for Palestine in a social media post, the Wellspring Philanthropic Fund cut their funding in the amount of $250,000.
SEE: How a Single Instagram Post Cost One Nonprofit a Quarter of Its Budget
In a statement, CAIR said:
“We stand in solidarity with 18 Million Rising, which has played a leading role in harnessing the voices from the Asian American community to advance justice for all, including Palestinians facing apartheid and genocide.
“The Wellspring Philanthropic Fund’s decision to cut funding for 18MR’s work over a statement in support of the Palestinian people–a statement that also condemned antisemitism–is inexplicable and unconscionable.
“This is part of a pattern of major foundations cutting funds for diverse, justice-oriented nonprofit organizations under pressure from anti-Palestinian extremists. The Wellspring Philanthropic Fund should apologize for throwing 18MR under the bus and restore funding to the organization immediately.”
Washington, D.C., based CAIR noted that last week, the Muslim Women’s Coalition (MWC), a Wisconsin-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering Muslim women and girls through education, leadership, outreach, and wellness, responded to the Archewell Foundation’s decision to publicly terminate funding for a project supporting Afghan women refugees in response to pressure from anti-Palestinian extremists.
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 National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com