(WASHINGTON, D.C., 11/1/15) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today joined widespread condemnation of an apparent act of racist intimidation in Vermont in which Ku Klux Klan (KKK) fliers were left recently at the homes of at least two Burlington, Vt., residents, including that of a Black Lives Matter activist.
Some 100 people gathered Saturday in Burlington for a rally against racism in response to the fliers, which were headlined “Join The Klan and Save Our Land” and depicted a hooded, cross-wielding horseman against a backdrop of a U.S. colonial flag and a Confederate battle flag. The flier included a reference to the “United Northern and Southern Knights” of the KKK, a hate group that has historically targeted African-Americans and other minority groups.
Police officials say they have not determined if a crime was committed but an investigation is continuing.
SEE: KKK Fliers Posted on Homes of Residents of Color in Burlington
KKK Posters Left at Homes, Prompting Anti-Racism Rally in Burlington, VermontÂ
KKK Flier Put on the Home Door of Black Lives Matter Activist
“We join in condemning this apparent act of intimidation and the violent racist ideology it represents,†said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. “Because specific homes appeared to have been targeted, this incident should be treated as a possible hate crime.â€
Hooper noted that CAIR recently stood in solidarity the African-American community following a series of arsons targeting St. Louis-area churches and with a San Francisco-based African-American Christian a church that was vandalized with graffiti.
SEE: CAIR-St. Louis Stands with African-American Christians After 7 Church Arsons  Â
CAIR-SFBA: Bay Area Muslims Organizations Stand with African-American Church Targeted with Racist Graffiti Â
CAIR-Texas also recently expressed solidarity with the Jewish community after vandals spray-painted Nazi swastikas and racial slurs on gates, walls and monuments near a synagogue in San Antonio.
The Muslim community has in the past expressed solidarity with Jewish, Christian and Sikh communities in New Mexico, Florida, South Carolina, Maryland, Massachusetts, and California following acts of violence, vandalism, arson or bombings.
CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
Become a Fan of CAIR on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/CAIRNational Â
Subscribe to CAIR's E-Mail List
http://tinyurl.com/cairsubscribe
Subscribe to CAIR's Twitter Feed
http://twitter.com/cairnational Â
Subscribe to CAIR's YouTube Channel
http://www.youtube.com/cairtv Â
– END –
CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Nabeelah Naeem, 202-341-4171, nnaeem@cair.com