(BALTIMORE, Md., 12/21/2023) – On Tuesday, December 19, the Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) joined an interfaith, intersectional coalition outside U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen’s (D-MD) Baltimore office to announce a letter signed by over 180 organizations, unions and businesses representing over 200,000 Baltimore residents demanding an immediate, permanent ceasefire in the Middle East violence.
Watch Video: CAIR Rep. Speaks at Baltimore News Conference Announcing 180+ Groups Demanding Ceasefire
SEE: CAIR Joins 180+ Baltimore Area Groups Announcing Gaza Ceasefire Letter (WMAR 2)
The letter calls on Sen. Van Hollen (D-MD), Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD), Rep. Ruppersberger (MD-02), and Rep. Sarbanes (MD-03) to take immediate action to save innocent lives by supporting a permanent ceasefire. Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-MD) is the only Maryland congressional representative who has supported a ceasefire. Signatories include leading labor unions, racial justice, faith and progressive organizations, in addition to dozens of prominent Baltimore small businesses. The unprecedented coalition includes Jewish Voice for Peace Baltimore, SEIU 1199, United Healthcare Workers East MD/DC, NAACP Baltimore, If Not Now Baltimore, SURJ Baltimore, CAIR Maryland and others.
The news conference concluded with the delegation personally hand-delivering boxes of the coalition statement and letters from Maryland residents and businesses to Senator Van Hollen’s office.
“The diversity and strength of this coalition speaks to the growing demand on our representatives in Congress to take swift action to end the genocide occurring in Gaza,” said CAIR Maryland’s representative Huzzaifa Muhammad, who spoke at the news conference. “We will not be silent. Our message is gaining support and every second counts. Your constituents are paying attention and urging you to stand on the right side of history at this critical moment.”
Israel’s siege and subsequent ground invasion of the Gaza strip has displaced over 1.9 million Palestinians, left most without basic survival needs, and has led to over 20,000 civilian deaths, nearly half of whom are children. Despite this, the Biden administration has held that there will be “no red lines” for the Israeli military.
The letter remains open for endorsements and can be signed here. A full list of organizations can also be found at the link.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, 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.
END
CONTACT: CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, zchaudry@cair.com, 410-971-6062