(WASHINGTON D.C., 12/17/2021) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed a decision by the Louisiana Supreme Court to suspend a judge while an investigation into a racist video incident takes place.
Over the weekend, a video surfaced from the home of Michelle Odinet, a judge from Lafayette, La., that includes the n-word to refer to a suspect in an attempted burglary of her house. Following public outrage at the judge’s comments, she claimed she was “sedated” at the time the video was filmed.
According to local media: “The video does not show any of the speakers heard during the clip, but multiple voices repeatedly say “n—–” while watching footage of the attempted burglary. Ciolino confirmed Friday that Odinet used the language heard in the video.”
Yesterday, the Supreme Court of Louisiana formally suspended Odinet while an investigation into the incident takes place. Two Black defendants have filed motions to have the judge recused from their cases, saying the video demonstrates the judge’s prejudice and bias against Black people.
SEE: La. Supreme Court suspends Judge Odinet during probe into racist video
“We welcome the decision of the Louisiana Supreme Court to suspend Judge Odinet following the racist comments heard on the video,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. “A judge must be impartial and treat all defendants equally before the law, and this video brings that impartiality into question.”
Hooper noted that last year, CAIR welcomed the resignation of another Louisiana judge who used racial slurs to refer to government employees.
SEE: GOOD NEWS ALERT: CAIR Welcomes Resignation of Louisiana Judge Who Used ‘N-Word’ in Texts About Government Employees
He 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: Video: CAIR Calls for Hate Crime Probe of Assault on Virginia Muslim High School Student
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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