(BALTIMORE, MD, 8/8/2022) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned racist, neo-Nazi vandalism in Bethesda, Md. CAIR also welcomed the arrest of a man who allegedly vandalized a church in Anne Arundel, Md.
A Maryland state delegate shared a modified photo on Twitter Sunday of racist and neo-Nazi messages spray painted along the Bethesda Trolley Trail. The graffiti featured Nazi swastikas and included the words “white power” and “14/88,” a numerical code referring to a white supremacist slogan and the Nazi salute “Heil Hitler.”
SEE: ‘Hate has no place here’: Md. leaders denounce alleged racist vandalism on Bethesda trail
Police in Anne Arundel County, Md., arrested a man who allegedly vandalized a church with racist graffiti last week. The church, which serves a mostly Black congregation, was also vandalized last month, but it is unknown if the man was linked to that vandalism as well. The man faces three hate crime charges and a fourth charge of malicious destruction of property.
SEE: Man arrested on hate crime charges in church vandalism
“We strongly condemn the hateful neo-Nazi vandalism of a community space in Bethesda, and we welcome the arrest of the individual who allegedly targeted a church with racist graffiti,” said CAIR’s Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry. “White supremacy and racism have no place in our state and we urge all communities in Maryland to come together and repudiate this bigotry.”
She noted that CAIR condemned the vandalism of the church last week and welcomed the identification of the suspect.
SEE: CAIR Condemns Possible Hate Crime Vandalism of Maryland Church, Welcomes ID of Suspect
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 Office in Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, zchaudry@cair.com, 410-971-6062