(WASHINGTON D.C., 9/29/2022) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called for the resignation of a North Carolina sheriff following the revelation of racist statement he allegedly made.
CAIR also welcomed an investigation by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) into the racist comments allegedly made by the sheriff of that state’s Columbus County.
The racist comments were reportedly made in a 2019 phone conversation between Columbus County Sheriff Jody Greene and Captain Jason Soles, who had been given command of the department while a complaint against Greene was being investigated. Greene reportedly told Soles he was “sick of these black b**tards.” He also said he would fire employees who he believed were connected with an investigation into his eligibility for the office. The call was one of several Greene made to Soles during the investigation.
The Columbus County Attorney General said that while he was unsure if Greene’s comments reached the level of a criminal violation, they did raise concerns about biased policing by the department.
Yesterday, the attorney general requested the North Carolina Bureau of Investigation (SBI) begin investigating the issue. In a statement posted to Facebook, Greene admitted to using offensive language but denied any “racial intent.”
SEE: Sheriff: “I’m sick of these black bastards…. Every black that I know, you need to fire him…”
“The comments reportedly made by the sheriff are appalling and would indicate that he is unfit to serve and protect a diverse community,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. “We urge the North Carolina SBI to be swift and thorough in its investigation and for the sheriff to consider resigning from his office.”
He said CAIR and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging antisemitism, systemic anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.
SEE: CAIR-MI Welcomes Judge’s Ruling that Troy Violated Federal Law When Denying Variance Request by Adam Community Center
CAIR-NY Welcomes Firing of Off-Duty Cop for Assault on Muslim Driver
CAIR-LA Demands Release of Results of Investigation into Santa Ana College Professor’s Islamophobic Statements
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