(WASHINGTON, D.C., 11/12/18) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim advocacy and civil rights group, today condemned what appears to be a Nazi salute in a pre-prom photograph by dozens of male high school students in Wisconsin. One student also appears to flash a “white power” hand sign.
The photograph was taken before the Baraboo High School junior prom and went viral after it was posted on Twitter Sunday night. One teen shown apparently disapproving of the salute says he had been repeatedly bullied by the other students for years.
In a letter sent to parents School District Superintendent Lori Mueller said that officials were “extremely troubled by the image.”
SEE: Wis. Teen Boys Appear to Throw Up Nazi Salute in Prom Photo
“We condemn this brazen display of hatred and urge the school district to immediately institute changes to its curriculum designed to challenge the type of bigotry expressed in the photo,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. “Any effort to challenge hate must also include a component focused on bullying, which is often linked to racism, white supremacy, Islamophobia, and anti-immigrant views.”
He said CAIR has reported an unprecedented spike in bigotry targeting American Muslims, immigrants and members of other minority groups since the election of Donald Trump as president. CAIR has repeatedly expressed concern about Islamophobic, white supremacist and racist Trump administration policies and appointments.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, 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
http://tinyurl.com/cairsubscribe
Subscribe to CAIR’s Twitter Feed
http://twitter.com/cairnational
Subscribe to CAIR’s YouTube Channel
– END –
CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Manager Naaz Modan, 202-748-4319, [email protected]