(WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/5/2023) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today expressed support for a petition to remove a statue of a priest who reportedly supported slavery and segregation in Mobile, Alabama.
Citizens in Mobile have sent a letter to the mayor and city council urging them to remove a statue of Rev. Abram Joseph Ryan, dubbed the “priest of the Confederacy” for his pro-Confederate views and support for slavery and segregation. A city spokesperson said that city officials are currently discussing the information cited in the letter.
SEE: Petition in Mobile calls for removing statue of Father Ryan, ‘Priest of the Confederacy’
“Historical figures who justified and promoted the ideas of the traitorous and racist Confederacy do not deserve to be honored with public monuments,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. “We support the petition urging the removal of the statue and ask Mobile officials to heed the request of their citizens.”
He said Washington, D.C., based CAIR has repeatedly called for the removal of Confederate names, 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, [email protected]; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, [email protected]