(WASHINGTON, D.C., 11/16/2020) — The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the dismissal of charges against Virginia Sen. Louise Lucas and all others charged in a June protest and vandalism at a Portsmouth Confederate monument.
After reviewing police evidence, prosecutors determined that there was not enough evidence to prove the elements of the crimes.
SEE: Charges dismissed against state Sen. Louise Lucas in vandalism of Portsmouth’s Confederate monument
Following the June incident that left a man seriously injured and Sen. Lucas being charged, Portsmouth Police Chief Angela Greene was placed on administrative leave and recently fired.
SEE: Portsmouth fires Police Chief Angela Greene following June incident at city’s Confederate monument
“We welcome the dismissal of the charges unfairly brought against Senator Lucas and others who were standing against our nation’s unfortunate legacy of racism and white supremacy,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.
He said the American Muslim community and CAIR are standing in solidarity with all those challenging anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, and white supremacy.
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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.
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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