CAIR-LA: The board of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California censures member John Morris for making a racist remark about an Arab American employee. – Los Angeles Times
Civil rights advocates have also voiced concerns about potential discrimination. The Council on American-Islamic Relations told the district earlier this year that Hagekhalil has been “subjected to discriminatory and racist actions and behaviors” by some board members.
Amr Shabaik, the council’s legal director in Los Angeles, told the MWD board in an October letter that board members have allegedly used “derogatory terms against immigrants, Muslims, and Arabs.”
“Such alleged statements include the following: ‘When are we going to get rid of those refugees?’ ‘When are we going to hire someone that we can pronounce their last name?’” Shabaik wrote. “These remarks are indicative of a strong animus and unlawful discriminatory intent by Board members.”
Shabaik said the decision to censure Morris is “a step in the right direction.” But he also said it “does not necessarily indicate that all the issues and all the concerns have been addressed.”
Video: CAIR-Ohio Testifies on Proposed Anti-Free Speech Bill
Video: CAIR-Ohio Urges Lawmakers to Reject Senate Bill 297
CAIR-Ohio: Ohio Senate oks antisemitism definition after campus protests, but it’s unlikely to move forward – Statehouse News
CAIR-Ohio: Ohio Senate passes bill that would expand definition of ethnic intimidation – 10tv.com
CAIR-Ohio: Ohio Senate moves antisemitism definition on same day it’s criticized for infringing on free speech – Ohio Capital Journal
CAIR: Brian Mast: Pro-Israel hawk set to lead US House foreign policy panel – Al Jazeera
On Tuesday, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) highlighted Mast’s history of anti-Palestinian statements, including his vilification of civilians and his call for destroying infrastructure in Gaza.
“Brian Mast might be the perfect person to serve as a spokesperson for the war criminals of the Israeli government, but he has no business running congressional hearings on sensitive international issues that impact our nation’s security,” CAIR government affairs director Robert McCaw said in a statement.