(WASHINGTON D.C., 1/17/2022) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned remarks by Chamath Palihapitiya, a minority owner of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, saying “nobody cares what’s happening to the Uyghurs.”
In a statement, CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell said:
“It is unconscionable that a corporate leader and NBA owner would so coldly dismiss the Chinese Communist Party’s ongoing genocide of Uyghur Muslims. It’s just as remarkable that Mr. Palihapitiya defended the Chinese government by debating whether it’s a dictatorship and criticizing our own nation. We do not need a token apology from Mr. Palihapitiya. We need him and other corporate leaders to speak out against the genocide and stop enabling the CCP.”
Washington, D.C., based CAIR also call on the NBA to sever it controversial ties with China.
BACKGROUNDER:
In response to a question about the about President Biden’s statement in support of the Uyghurs, Palihapitiya said, “Nobody cares about what’s happening to the Uyghurs, OK? You bring it up because you care and I think it’s nice that you care. The rest of us don’t care.”
SEE: Golden State Warriors Owner Proudly Declares He Doesn’t Care About China’s Treatment of Uyghurs
Golden State Warriors owner says ‘nobody cares’ about Uyghurs
Warriors Release Statement on Part Owner’s Problematic Comments
It is well documented that China carries out acts of torture, rape, forced abortions and sterilizations, mass detention, denial of religious rights, and cultural erasure targeting Uyghur Muslims.
SEE: CAIR Calls for ‘Immediate International Action’ After Amnesty Report Describes ‘Dystopian Hellscape’ for Uyghur Muslims in China
Earlier this month, CAIR called on Elon Musk to close a recently-opened Tesla showroom in China’s Xinjiang region, epicenter of the Uyghur genocide.
SEE: CAIR Calls on Elon Musk to Close Tesla Showroom in China’s Xinjiang Region, Epicenter of Uyghur Genocide
In December, CAIR welcomed President Biden’s signing of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (S.65/H.R.1155) into law. CAIR also welcomed new sanctions by the Biden administration on several Chinese government entities and corporations over abuses they committed against Uyghur Muslims and other minorities.
SEE: BREAKING: CAIR Welcomes President Biden’s Signing of Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Into Law
CAIR Welcomes New Biden Administration Sanctions on Chinese Govt. Entities, Companies Over Abuses in Uyghur Region
Earlier in 2021, CAIR and its #BoycottHilton coalition partners called on the Departments of State and Commerce to investigate the Hilton Corporation for its complicity in the Uyghur genocide.
SEE: #BoycottHilton Coalition Asks Secs. Antony Blinken, Gina Raimondo to Probe Hilton Worldwide, Chinese Partner for Complicity in Uyghur Genocide
SIGN THE PETITION TO BOYCOTT HILTON: change.org/BoycottHilton
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.
Become a Fan of CAIR on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/CAIRNational
Subscribe to CAIR’s Email List
https://action.cair.com/a/newsletters
Subscribe to CAIR’s Twitter Feed
http://twitter.com/cairnational
Subscribe to CAIR’s YouTube Channel
Follow CAIR on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/cair_national/
Donate to CAIR
https://action.cair.com/a/donate
Do you like reading CAIR press releases and taking part in our action alerts? You can help contribute to CAIR’s work of defending civil rights and empowering American Muslims across the country by making a one-time contribution or becoming a monthly donor. Supporters like you make CAIR’s advocacy work possible and defeating Islamophobia an achievable goal. Click here to donate to CAIR.
You are receiving this email due to your interest selection from commercial media databases. If you would like join CAIR’s media list, please sign up here: https://action.cair.com/a/newsletters — For more information, email: info@cair.com, CC ihooper@cair.com
END
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
