The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today expressed support for growing calls to remove a Confederate monument in Arkansas that has become the subject of renewed public scrutiny due to its proximity to a site associated with past lynchings.
That monument in Hot Springs, Arkansas, sparked community discussion about its historical context and the broader implications of maintaining Confederate symbols in public spaces, particularly in locations tied to racial violence and injustice.
In a statement, Washington, D.C.-based CAIR said:
“Confederate monuments are not neutral historical artifacts; they are enduring symbols of a legacy rooted in slavery, racism, and white supremacy. Their presence in public spaces, especially near sites connected to the terror of lynching, serves as a painful reminder of injustice and inequality. We believe that communities should not be forced to honor or normalize symbols that represent racism, oppression and division.”
CAIR has repeatedly called for the removal of Confederate flags, statues and symbols from public spaces nationwide.
The American Muslim community and CAIR stand in solidarity with all those challenging anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, 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 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 Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com