(TOPEKA, KS, 2/6/2023) – The Kansas chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Kansas) today expressed its support for legislation that would make it easier to remove racist housing covenants from the books of homeowners’ associations.
Two bills, SB 77 and HB 2174, were drafted by officials in Roeland Park, which has struggled for years to fully eliminate racist deed restrictions that are now illegal to implement but remain on the books of some now-defunct homeowners’ associations’ bylaws. The bills would change state law to allow cities “to redact the discriminatory language from either the plat or a set of covenants and restrictions recorded with the plat.”
SEE: Kansas bills would make it easier for Johnson County cities to get rid of racist housing covenants
In a statement, CAIR-Kansas Board Chair Moussa Elbayoumy said:
“We welcome the introduction of this bill in our legislature as a step in the right direction to remove this painful reminder of the racist past that still exists in some property deeds until today, and while not legally enforceable, still represents an insult to every minority that is confronted with it. We hope that every member of our legislature from both parties will give the bill their unconditional support and pass it as soon as possible.”
He noted that in 2021, CAIR-KS called on Governor Laura Kelly to issue an executive order allowing Roeland Park and other cities throughout the state to remove racist, discriminatory language from property documents.
SEE: CAIR-Kansas Calls on Governor to Issue Executive Order Allowing City’s to Remove Racist Language From Property Documents
CAIR 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.
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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 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 Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com