(WASHINGTON D.C., 10/20/2021) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today supported the Pittsylvania, Va., County Board of Supervisors’ censuring of a member who sent racist texts about a fellow supervisor.
At a meeting Tuesday night, the Pittsylvania Board of Supervisors voted 5-2 to censure a member who sent texts about another member that were “perceived to be racist to people of color” as well as “discriminatory to persons with medical issues.” In the texts, the board member mocked the appearance of a Black colleague, whom he compared to Ray Charles for wearing dark shades after a medical procedure.
SEE: Supervisor censured by Pittsylvania County Board for ‘racist,’ ‘discriminatory’ texts
“The messages sent by the board member are insulting to people of color and totally unacceptable for a person in a position of authority to make,” said CAIR National Communications Coordinator Ismail Allison. “We support the board’s censure and urge community leaders nationwide to work to challenge bigotry and racism.”
Allison said the American Muslim community and CAIR stand in solidarity with all those challenging anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, white supremacy, and other forms of bigotry.
SEE: CAIR Condemns Distribution of Racist KKK Propaganda in Virginia
CAIR-Chicago Calls on Bloomington Police Department to Probe Mosque Vandalism with ‘Seriousness and Urgency’
CAIR-NY Welcomes $20K FBI Reward for Info on Acid Attack Targeting Nafiah Ikram in Nassau County
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.
Become a Fan of CAIR on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/CAIRNational
Subscribe to CAIR’s Email List
https://action.cair.com/a/newsletters
Subscribe to CAIR’s Twitter Feed
http://twitter.com/cairnational
Subscribe to CAIR’s YouTube Channel
Follow CAIR on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/cair_national/
Donate to CAIR
https://action.cair.com/a/donate
Do you like reading CAIR press releases and taking part in our action alerts? You can help contribute to CAIR’s work of defending civil rights and empowering American Muslims across the country by making a one-time contribution or becoming a monthly donor. Supporters like you make CAIR’s advocacy work possible and defeating Islamophobia an achievable goal. Click here to donate to CAIR.
If you would like join CAIR’s media list, please sign up here: https://action.cair.com/a/newsletters — For more information, email: info@cair.com, CC ihooper@cair.com
END
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