(WASHINGTON, D.C., 7/6/2021) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today joined the call for Virginia’s Loudon County Board of Supervisors to rename roads named after prominent Confederate and segregationist figures.
SEE: Loudoun Co. weighs what to do with roads named for Confederates, segregationists
In a meeting today (5 p.m. ET), the board will consider what steps to take on several roads named after Confederate and segregationist figures. An inventory under discussion includes roads named after Confederate generals Robert E. Lee, Thomas ‘Stonewall’ Jackson, and J.E.B Stuart. Also included on the inventory is a canoe and kayak launch facility named for George Kephart, a wealthy slave trader originally from the Belmont section of Loudoun County.
“Confederate traitors, racists and segregationists should be repudiated, not honored,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. “The names of those who sought to uphold slavery, white supremacy and systemic anti-Black racism must be removed from places of honor if we wish to move beyond the divisive and destructive legacy of the Confederacy.”
Hooper added that CAIR supported a Virginia bill calling for the removal of the name of the president of the Confederacy from a highway in that state.
SEE: CAIR Supports Removal of Confederate Statue in South Carolina, Dropping Confederate Highway Name in Virginia
He noted that CAIR has repeatedly urged and supported the removal of Confederate symbols nationwide.
SEE: CAIR Welcomes Bipartisan House Vote to Remove Statues of Confederate, Slavery Supporters from Capitol in D.C.
CAIR Supports Challenge to Wisconsin Confederate Flag Display, Welcomes Sentencing for Indiana Cross Burning
CAIR Supports Effort to Rename Alabama School Named for Confederate General Robert E. Lee
The American Muslim community and CAIR stand in solidarity with all those challenging anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.
SEE: CAIR-SV/CC Joins Call for Accountability after Sacramento Teacher Recorded Using Racist Epithet
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 Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com