(WASHINGTON D.C., 2/2/2022) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned plans to place a Confederate monument in the center of a public park in Bentonville, Ark.
The monument, which depicts a Confederate soldier, was moved from Bentonville’s downtown square in September 2020. It will now be placed at the center of James H. Berry park, which the city Planning Commission approved 6-0 vote yesterday. The park is named for a Confederate officer and Arkansas lawmaker. A groundbreaking ceremony for the park is planned for early March.
SEE: Bentonville planners OK Berry Park plan; Confederate statue to be centerpiece of site
https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2022/feb/02/bentonville-planners-ok-berry-park-plan/
“Honoring traitors who supported white supremacy and slavery with public monuments is completely unacceptable and we urge the city of Bentonville to cancel its plans to do so,” said CAIR National Communications Coordinator Ismail Allison. “We call on cities nationwide to rid themselves of all symbols of racist hate.”
He added that a new Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) report shows that 73 Confederate monuments were removed or renamed in 2021. There are now 723 left nationwide.
SEE: 73 Confederate monuments were removed or renamed last year, report finds
https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/02/us/confederate-monuments-removed-2021-whose-heritage/index.html
Allison also noted that CAIR has repeatedly called for the removal of Confederate flags, statues and symbols from public spaces nationwide.
SEE: CAIR Reiterates Support for Efforts to Remove Ala. Confederate Monument Near Historically Black College
CAIR Reiterates Support for Effort to Rename N. Virginia Street Honoring Confederate General, KKK Fundraiser
CAIR Welcomes Firing of Wyo. Sheriff for Reported Racist Harassment, Supports Efforts to Remove S.C. Confederate Monument
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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 Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com