The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the decision by leaders in Senatobia, Mississippi, to fire Police Chief Harold Vanderford following reports that he repeatedly used racist slurs against Black people and degrading language in private text messages.
Senatobia’s Board of Aldermen voted unanimously on Tuesday to reject Vanderford’s resignation and terminate him instead. Vanderford had submitted his resignation earlier that day, amid mounting scrutiny over text messages.
In a statement, Washington, D.C.-based CAIR said:
“Law enforcement leaders are entrusted with enormous power and responsibility, and that responsibility requires respect for the dignity and equal rights of every person. No community should be expected to place its safety in the hands of a police chief whose own words demonstrate such contempt for the principles of equal justice. We welcome the decision to remove Chief Vanderford and urge Senatobia officials to ensure that its next police chief is committed to accountability, professionalism and equal protection under the law.”
CAIR and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging antisemitism, racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.
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 Research and Advocacy Director Corey Saylor, 202-384-8857; CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, [email protected]