(WASHINGTON D.C., 3/7/2022) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today supported efforts to change the names of streets named after Confederate and white supremacist personalities in Montgomery, Ala.
Montgomery leaders are considering changing the names of several streets named for Confederate and white supremacist historical figures, including members of the Ku Klux Klan. A list of street names to be considered for renaming was provided to the Montgomery City Council by a committee of local historians and educators.
The city recently agreed to pay a $25,000 fine imposed by the Alabama Attorney General following its decision to change the name of Jefferson Davis Avenue to Fred Gray Avenue, after the civil rights leader who grew up on the street. Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed announced last week that an anonymous source has committed to assisting the city with future fines imposed on the city as part of the state’s Memorial Preservation Act of 2017, a law passed to protect Confederate monuments.
SEE: Montgomery officials considering renaming streets named for confederates, klansmen
“Racist traitors and terrorists who used violence to keep Black Americans from exercising their rights do not deserve to be honored with public memorials or street names,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. “We welcome these efforts by the city of Montgomery to rid itself of symbols of hate and urge cities nationwide to do the same.”
Hooper added that CAIR welcomed the city of Montgomery’s decision to change the name of Jefferson Davis Avenue to Fred Gray Avenue.
SEE: CAIR Supports Changes to Remove Racist Confederate Legacy in Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee
He also noted that CAIR has repeatedly called for the removal of Confederate holidays, flags, statues, and symbols nationwide.
SEE: CAIR Welcomes Removal of Confederate Monument from Louisiana Courthouse
CAIR Welcomes Move to Remove Nashville Confederate Monument from Park
CAIR Welcomes South Carolina Bill to Drop Confederate Memorial Day Holiday
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