The Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Florida), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights organization, today welcomed the arrest of the individual accused of carrying out a racist attack against a member of Congress representing that state during the Sundance Film Festival.
According to media reports, the Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-FL) was physically assaulted and subjected to hateful rhetoric in an incident that authorities are investigating as a bias-motivated attack. The alleged assailant reportedly punched Frost the face and told him that President Donald Trump was going to deport him.
In a statement, Hiba Rahim, CAIR-Florida Deputy Executive Director, said:
“This disturbing attack is a reminder that hateful rhetoric and bigotry have real-world consequences. Violence allegedly motivated by anti-immigrant racism threatens not only individual safety, but the foundations of our democracy. We commend law enforcement for taking swift action and urge prosecutors to fully hold the perpetrator accountable.”
She said CAIR-Florida 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: Hiba Rahim, CAIR-Florida Deputy Executive Director, (813) 705-5440, hrahim@cair.com; CAIR-Florida Communications Director Wilfredo A. Ruiz, (305)502-6749, wruiz@cair.com; 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 Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com