The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned a racist threat made against New York State Senator Lea Webb and is calling for full accountability under the law.
A Broome County man was arrested and charged with a hate crime after posting online that he would be “proud to hang her from a tree,” an apparent reference to lynching directed at Sen. Webb, who is Black. The post appeared on Juneteenth, the federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, in response to coverage of a Juneteenth event where Webb had spoken. He now faces a felony charge for making a terroristic threat, classified as a hate crime.
SEE: Man Arrested for Alleged Hate Crime, Terroristic Threats Against State Sen. Lea Webb
In a statement, CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher, Esq., said:
“We commend local law enforcement for treating this threat with the seriousness it deserves and urge prosecutors to follow through fully.
No one should have to read a comment like this about themselves. Threats invoking lynching are not political speech; they are acts of racial terror with a long, violent history in this country, and they have no place in public discourse. CAIR-NY calls on elected officials and community leaders everywhere to reject this kind of violence, no matter who the target.”
CAIR-NY’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR-NY 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
Afaf Nasher, Esq. CAIR-NY Executive Director, ANasher@cair.com
CAIR-NY Communications Team, comms@ny.cair.com