CAIR Press Releases

CAIR-MA Welcomes Decision to Place Officer Associated with 2017 Racist Rally in Charlottesville, Va., on Leave

(BOSTON, MA, 10/14/2022) – The Massachusetts chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MA) today welcomed a decision to place a Woburn police officer on paid administrative leave after allegations surfaced that he helped plan and participated in the racist 2017 Charlottesville, Va., “Unite the Right” rally that resulted in the death of a counter-protester.

SEE: Woburn police officer placed on leave over alleged role in deadly Charlottesville rally

According to HuffPost, that officer also posted racist and antisemitic comments online. Woburn police said the department is investigating the officer for inappropriate conduct.

He Marched at The Nazi Rally in Charlottesville. Then He Went Back to Being a Cop.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/john-donnelly-police-officer-charlottesville-white-supremacist-woburn-massachusetts_n_634856a1e4b08e0e60812d63

“Anyone who allegedly holds racist and antisemitic views, and acts on those bigoted views, is clearly unfit to protect and serve a diverse community as a member of law enforcement,” said CAIR-MA Executive Director Tahirah Amatul-Wadud. “If the allegations brought against this officer prove to be true, the department should take appropriate action, up to and including termination.”

She said 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.   

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-Massachusetts Executive Director Tahirah Amatul-Wadud, 413-206-9839 , tAmatul-Wadud@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 

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