CAIR Press Releases

CAIR Condemns Racist and Anti-Muslim Incidents in Mont., Ark., Utah

(WASHINGTON D.C., 3/4/2022) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations today condemned recent racist and anti-Muslim incidents in Montana, Arkansas, and Utah.  

A professor at the University of Montana has been met with backlash over his alleged racist and anti-Muslim comments. In texts posted online, the professor reportedly used the n-word, made disparaging comments about Muslims wearing towel wraps, and made other racist remarks to his ex-wife, who is Black.  

In a video also posted online, the professor is reportedly heard calling his daughter the n-word. In response to student outrage and protests, the university said it cannot take action in response to private family conversations.  

SEE: UM professor under fire for making racist remarks 

https://www.montanarightnow.com/missoula/um-professor-under-fire-for-making-racist-remarks/article_adab6554-9b59-11ec-8312-6bf53f52b53b.html

In Arkansas’ Lavaca, a Black 7th grade student was reportedly subjected to racist bullying on a school bus. Video filmed on the bus reportedly shows students sarcastically chanting ‘Black Lives Matter’ and ‘Rosa Parks’ and using the n-word. The student’s mother reported the incident to school officials and police, who are currently investigating. The student plans to transfer out of the district. 

SEE: 7th grade girl talks about Arkansas school bus bullying incident  

https://www.4029tv.com/article/7th-grade-girl-speaks-out-about-racist-bullying-on-lavaca-school-bus/39315993#

In Magna, Utah, a man put up a Confederate flag under an upside-down American flag in his front yard. The Salt Lake Co. district attorney and the mayor of Magna said the display should come down but noted that it is protected speech under the First Amendment. An upside-down American flag is used to signal distress.  

SEE: Upside down American flag flies above Confederate flag in Magna  

https://kutv.com/newsletter-daily/upside-down-american-flag-flies-above-confederate-flag-in-magna

“Anti-Black racism, anti-Muslim bigotry and other forms of hate continue to plague our society,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. “We condemn all acts of bigotry and urge communities nationwide to unite against hate.” 

Hooper said the American Muslim community and CAIR are standing in solidarity with all those challenging systemic anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, antisemitism, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.      

SEE: CAIR-Chicago Welcomes Arrest in Anti-Muslim Vandalism Case 

CAIR Welcomes Removal of Confederate Monument from Louisiana Courthouse 

CAIR Publishes New Islamophobia.org Profile of Marjorie Taylor Greene, Calls on Leader McCarthy to Reverse Pledge to Put Her Back on Committees 

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 Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com 

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