Muslim civil rights group urging state’s Ethics Commission to probe possible violations and take appropriate action
(BALTIMORE, MD, 11/9/2023) – The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations today denounced a letter issued by the Montgomery County Senate Delegation rebuking immigrants advocacy organization CASA de Maryland and its executive director Gustavo Torres, threatening to cut funding to immigrant communities over since-deleted social media posts expressing support for Palestinian rights.
The Silver Spring-based organization’s statement had read in part:
“CASA stands in resolute and steadfast solidarity with the people of Palestine in their relentless fight for freedom. We stand shoulder to shoulder with countless Black and brown freedom activists from around the world. We specifically condemn the utilization of U.S. tax dollars to promote the ongoing violence. We call for an immediate ceasefire to save all precious life and halt the systematic ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people.”
The statement closed, “free Palestine NOW!”
CASA later deleted the posts on X after coming under swift criticism by pro-Israel groups and offered an apology.
SEE: Montgomery Co. Council members criticize immigrant rights group’s deleted anti-Israel statement
Yesterday, Senators Brian Feldman, Cheryl Kagan, Craig Zucker, Jeff Waldstreicher and others issued a joint letter rebuking CASA de Maryland and threatening to restrict their funding.
“Advocacy groups with the moral clarity and courage to condemn war crimes against innocent civilians including the killing of over 4,500 children in Gaza deserve support and praise, not rebuke and criticism,” said CAIR’s Maryland director Zainab Chaudry.
She added: “CAIR has been proud to support immigrant communities alongside CASA de Maryland and we strongly denounce the intimidation and threats they are currently facing over their principled positions. It’s reckless, dangerous and irresponsible for any state lawmaker to ever exploit their power and the trust placed in them to represent diverse districts – which include many Palestinian American constituents whose loved ones have been killed in Gaza – to punish immigrant communities by threatening to restrict funding in this manner.”
The civil rights group is urging the state’s Ethics Commission to investigate possible violations and take appropriate action.
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.
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CONTACT: CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, 410-971-6062, zchaudry@cair.com