(ST. LOUIS, MO, 5/27/2022) – The Missouri chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Missouri), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned neo-Nazi vandalism of an Missouri church.
Police in Springfield, Mo., are investigating the vandalism at a historically black church as a hate crime after someone spray-painted a Nazi swastika on the outside of Pitts Chapel United Methodist Church on May 18 or 19.
SEE: Springfield Police Investigate Swastika at Black Church as Hate Crime
“As we have seen nationwide, hateful rhetoric and actions often lead to violence targeting minority communities,” said CAIR-Missouri Board Chair Yasir Ali. “All houses of worship must be safe environments for people of faith, and they should be free of racist intimidation and harassment.”
He noted that yesterday, Washington, D.C., based CAIR condemned neo-Nazi vandalism of an immigrant community center in Portland, Ore., by a suspect who reportedly had a cache of weapons and racist materials at his home.
He said CAIR and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging antisemitism, anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, and white supremacy.
SEE: CAIR Condemns Antisemitic Flyers Distributed in South Dakota
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-Missouri Board Chair Yasir Ali, Yasir.ali@cair-mo.org, 314-722-6116, CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Coordinator Ismail Allison,202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com