(WASHINGTON, D.C., 2/27/20) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the House of Representatives approving legislation labeling lynching as a hate crime under federal law in honor of lynching victim Emmett Till, an African-American teen whose 1955 murder propelled the Civil Rights Movement.
It is expected that President Trump will sign the bill, which would label lynching as a federal hate crime punishable by “up to life in prison, a fine, or both.” The “Emmett Till Antilynching Act” was approved by a 410 to 4 vote on Wednesday.
SEE: House Makes Lynching a Federal Crime, 65 Years After Till
In a statement, CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw said:
“This bill is a symbol of justice for Emmett Till, his family and the nation. The racism and white supremacy that led to his murder is still alive and impacting our communities. This bill sends the message that we will not tolerate hate-motivated violence in our diverse nation.”
He noted that last year, CAIR condemned the actions of three University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) students who stood with guns in front of a bullet-riddled memorial to Emmett Till.
SEE: CAIR Condemns Mississippi Students Posing with Guns in Front of Bullet-Riddled Emmett Till Memorial
Also last year, CAIR condemned the filming of a white supremacist propaganda video at the Mississippi memorial to Emmett Till.
SEE: CAIR Condemns Tenn. Group’s KKK Halloween Costumes, Filming of White Supremacist Propaganda Video at Miss. Emmett Till Memorial
Yet again in 2019, CAIR welcomed a new Maryland law that created the nation’s first statewide truth commission tasked with investigating the history and legacy of racial terror lynchings.
SEE: CAIR Applauds Historic New Maryland Law Authorizing Statewide Commission to Investigate History of Racial Lynchings
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
Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, [email protected]; CAIR
National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]