(WASHINGTON, D.C., 6/23/2023) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned a call by a lawmaker in Mississippi to restore that state’s Confederate-themed flag.
Almost three years ago, Mississippi retired the old Confederate-themed state flag – which featured red, white and blue bars with a Confederate cross in the upper left-hand corner – but Sen. Kathy Chism is calling for its return. In a speech recorded on video, she said: “That flag, a lot of our people fought and died under that flag.”
The Mississippi Free Press noted: “White supremacist lawmakers adopted the Confederate-themed flag in place of a prior magnolia flag as they worked to lock Black Mississippians out of politics with a slew of Jim Crow laws.”
SEE: Senator Calls for Return of Old Mississippi Flag: ‘Our People Died Under That Flag’
In a statement, CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper said:
“We strongly condemn Senator Chism’s call for the return of a symbol that represents a painful history of slavery and white supremacy, and that was created in an effort to oppress and intimidate Black Mississippians. Such a regressive stance undermines progress toward a more just society and perpetuates division within the community.”
Hooper added that earlier this year, CAIR reiterated its condemnation of Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves’ decision to sign a proclamation naming April as Confederate Heritage Month.
He said Washington, D.C., based CAIR has repeatedly called for the removal of Confederate names, holidays, flags, statues, and symbols nationwide.
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 Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com