(WASHINGTON D.C., 8/23/2021) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called for hate crime charges after racist vandalism allegedly targeting a Pakistani-American in Bangor, Maine.
On Friday night, racist slurs and messages including reference to the KKK and the N-word were reportedly spray-painted on the man’s car. A neighbor reportedly saw the two vandals after stepping outside to pick up a delivery. The neighbor informed the man about the vandalism, and police were called. Police have since reported that two juveniles have been arrested in connection with the vandalism.
SEE: Bangor Man’s Car Vandalized with Racist Graffiti
Bangor man’s car vandalized with racial slurs, auto detailing shop steps in
Bangor City Council releases statement on car vandalism
https://www.foxbangor.com/news/item/bangor-city-council-releases-statement-on-car-vandalism/
“We call on state and federal law enforcement authorities to pursue hate crime charges for this disturbing attack,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. “It is crucial that law enforcement take the rising tide of hate attacks targeting minority communities seriously and act accordingly.”
He noted that in July, CAIR released a mid-year report highlighting anti-Muslim incidents that occurred during the first seven months of 2021.
SEE: Advocacy group publishes mid-year report highlighting spike in anti-Muslim crimes and bias
https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/25/us/cair-anti-muslim-incidents-trnd/index.html
Hooper said the American Muslim community and CAIR stand in solidarity with all those challenging anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.
SEE: CAIR Welcomes 18-Month Sentence for Man Who Burned Cross on Black Family’s Lawn in Virginia
CAIR Welcomes Sentencing of Woman who Intentionally Hit Black, Latina Children with SUV in Iowa
CAIR-Cleveland Calls on Law Enforcement to Probe Possible Bias Motive for Vandalism at Alliance YWCA
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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