(WASHINGTON, D.C., 12/8/2020) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization, today welcomed the removal of a confederate statue from the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), a call to remove the Confederate flag from the Alabama coat of arms and an effort to drop Confederate legal holidays in Florida.
CAIR also condemned the distribution of neo-Nazi, white supremacist materials in a Colorado community.
In Virginia, the VMI board approved the decision to remove the statue of Confederate general “Stonewall” Jackson in late October. The removal comes after a wave of other confederate monuments across the country are being removed from public spaces.
SEE: VMI removes statue of Confederate Gen. ‘Stonewall’ Jackson
In Alabama, State Rep. Laura Hall, D-Huntsville, has prepared three bills aimed at dismantling confederate language and representation in the state’s legislation and its entities.
Alabama’s state flag bears a coat of arms representing the confederate flag, a symbol Rep. Hall hopes to remove. The second bill put in motion would restrict the Sons of Confederate Veterans and the Daughters of the Confederacy from using the state’s armories. The third bill seeks to prohibit national guard members from donning confederate civil war medals. The bills will be introduced in Feb. 2021.
SEE: Bills would remove Confederate flag from Alabama Coat of Arms
https://www.wsfa.com/2020/12/04/bills-would-remove-confederate-flag-alabama-coat-arms/
In Florida, State Rep. Mike Grieco, filed a bill (HB 6007) that would eliminate several Confederate holidays in that state. Florida is one a few remaining states that maintain Confederate legal holidays. Legal holidays are significant because they are usually observed by the whole state as paid days off.
Previous efforts to discontinue observing Confederate holidays have been sustained in 2018, but ultimately did not pass the Florida Legislature.
SEE: Florida Rep. pushes to eliminate holidays honoring Confederate leaders
In Colorado, Neo-Nazi propaganda was found distributed in a Westminster, Colo., neighborhood over the weekend. Sidewalks, signs and a brick wall were also painted with hate graffiti, as well as Nazi swastikas and “KKK.”
SEE: White supremacist graffiti and propaganda found in Colorado Springs and Denver suburb
In a statement, CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper said:
“We support those individuals and institutions seeking to remove the racist legacy of the Confederacy. Anti-Black racism, white supremacy and all other forms of bigotry must be repudiated, not honored.”
Hooper added that CAIR has repeatedly urged the removal of Confederate holidays, symbols and racist laws nationwide.
SEE: CAIR Supports Removal of Confederate Monument from Tennessee Town Square
He said the American Muslim community and CAIR are standing in solidarity with all those challenging anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.
SEE: CAIR-MI Calls for Ethnic Intimidation Crime Probe of Threat to State Rep., Offers Reward for Info
VIDEO: CAIR Director Nihad Awad Speaks at Unveiling of Black Lives Matter Banner
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, 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.
END
CONTACT: CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com