(WASHINGTON, D.C., 1/15/20) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today said a decision by a Virginia school board to allow the Confederate flag on clothing worn to school will create a “hostile learning environment” for minority students.
The Franklin County School Board voted 7-1 Monday not to update the student dress code to ban the display of the Confederate flag. The only African-American member of the board had proposed to update the dress code policy.
SEE: Confederate Flag Allowed in Dress Code at Franklin County Schools
https://wset.com/news/local/confederate-flag-allowed-in-dress-code-at-franklin-county-schools
VA County Rejects Ban of Confederate Flag in Schools
https://www.delmarvapublicradio.net/post/va-county-rejects-ban-confederate-flag-schools
In a statement, CAIR Communications Coordinator Ayan Ajeen said:
“The Confederate flag is viewed by African-Americans and many others as a symbol of hate, oppression and treason. Much like the Nazi swastika, its use on articles of student clothing would create a hostile learning environment for minority students and would send the message that racist and white supremacist views are acceptable in an educational setting.”
She noted that CAIR has called for local governments throughout the nation to remove all Confederate symbols from public spaces.
SEE: CAIR Renews Call to Remove Confederate Symbols Nationwide on 2nd Anniversary of Charlottesville White Supremacist Terror Attack
CAIR has reported an unprecedented spike in bigotry targeting American Muslims, immigrants and members of other minority groups since the election of Donald Trump as president.
SEE: CAIR-NY Condemns Anti-Semitic Vandalism
https://www.cair.com/cair_ny_condemns_anti_semitic_vandalism
CAIR-Sacramento Valley Condemns Neo-Nazi 'White Power' Vandalism Targeting Orangevale Sikh Center
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 Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Coordinator Ayan Ajeen, [email protected]