(WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/2/2023) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today expressed solidarity with members of the Native American community after an Indigenous activist was shot in New Mexico.
That activist, Jacob Johns, was reportedly shot on Thursday morning, allegedly by a man wearing a Make America Great Again (MAGA) hat. The shooting reportedly occurred during a protest against the construction of a statue honoring a Spanish conquistador in the New Mexico city of Espanola. The suspected shooter, 23-year-old Ryan Martinez, was arrested and faces charges of attempted murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Johns is in the hospital and is reportedly recovering.
SEE: Man in Maga hat charged over shooting of Indigenous activist at statue protest | New Mexico | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/30/man-maga-hat-new-mexico-shooting-charged
The Red Nation Calls For Safety After Racist Attack In New Mexico
New Mexico State Police Respond to Espanola Shooting Incident
In a statement, CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell said:
“We stand in solidarity with the Native American community of New Mexico. We also call on law enforcement to take all appropriate action to address this act of violence and ensure that people can peacefully protest without fear of violence.”
He added that CAIR and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging antisemitism, systemic anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.
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, [email protected]; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected], CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, [email protected]