(WASHINGTON D.C., 9/14/2022) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today expressed its support for the proposed renaming of two U.S. navy ships with names linked to the Confederacy.
CAIR also supported a proposal to remove a Confederate monument from Arlington Cemetery.
The US Congressional Naming Commission is recommending that the Navy change the names of the USS Chancellorsville, named for battle the Confederates won, and the USNS Maury, named for a Confederate officer. The commission, which was established to provide recommendations to the Defense Department on renaming Confederate markers on US military installations, did not offer recommendations for new names for the ships.
SEE: Congressional commission recommends the US Navy rename two ships with names tied to the Confederacy
The Naming Commission also recommended that a Confederate monument in Arlington National Cemetery be removed. The monument includes a bronze woman crowned with olive leaves, representing the Confederacy, and the coats of arms of the 13 Confederate states and Maryland. The monument also includes a statue of an enslaved woman holding the child of her white master and an enslaved man following his owner to war.
SEE: Panel Advises Removal of Confederate Statue at Arlington Cemetery
Panel says Confederate memorial at Arlington cemetery should be dismantled
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/sep/13/arlington-national-cemetery-confederate-memorial
“The Confederacy committed treason against our nation and attacked our military for the sake of maintaining slavery and white supremacy,” said CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw. “No American government property or military installation should honor its shameful legacy.”
He noted that yesterday, CAIR welcomed the renaming of two highways in Virginia named for Confederate leaders.
SEE: CAIR Welcomes Renaming of Virginia Highways Named for Confederate Leaders
Also yesterday, CAIR condemned a court ruling that a Confederate monument in North Carolina must remain in place.
SEE: CAIR Condemns Ruling Preventing Removal of North Carolina Confederate Monument
Washington, D.C., based CAIR has repeatedly called for the removal of Confederate holidays, flags, statues, and symbols nationwide.
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 Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com