(WASHINGTON D.C., 12/6/2021) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed a decision by the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals to grant a new trial to a Black man convicted of aggravated assault by an all-white jury that deliberated in a room containing Confederate symbols.
The man was sentenced to six years for a 2018 altercation. His attorney argued that he did not receive a fair trial because the jury deliberated in a room containing a Confederate flag and a picture of Confederate president Jefferson Davis. On Friday, the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals ruled that the man deserves a new trial, citing the presence of Confederate symbols while the jury deliberated and the trial court’s decision to allow a challenged witness statement.
SEE: New trial for Black man whose all-white jury met in room with Confederate symbols
All-white jury votes to convict Black defendant in room with Confederate flag, new trial ordered
Black man deserves new trial after jury used room decked with Confederate tributes, court says
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/12/05/confederate-flag-jury-room/
“It is obvious that any verdict reached by an all-white jury deliberating in a room adorned with symbols of slavery, white supremacy and systemic anti-Black racism would be tainted with at least the perception of bias,” said CAIR National Communications Coordinator Ismail Allison. “We welcome the decision to grant a retrial and urge courts nationwide to ensure that all Americans are provided equal justice before the law.”
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.
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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