(WASHINGTON, D.C., 2/28/2023) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the renaming of a U.S. Navy ship currently named for a battle won by the Confederacy during the Civil War.
The USS Chancellorsville, named for an 1863 battle won by the Confederacy, will be renamed for Robert Smalls, Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro announced Tuesday. Smalls was born into slavery and conscripted into the Confederate navy. He hijacked a Confederate ship, gave it over to the Union, and worked as a civilian in the US Navy and Army.
SEE: Navy to rename USS Chancellorsville after former slave who stole Confederate steamer
“We are pleased to see the Navy rename this ship after a hero who risked his life for our nation instead of for a victory by those who betrayed it in defense of slavery and white supremacy,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.
He said Washington, D.C., based CAIR has repeatedly called for the removal of Confederate names, holidays, flags, statues, and symbols nationwide.
SEE: CAIR Supports Kentucky Bill Removing Confederate Holidays
CAIR Welcomes American Bar Association Resolution Stating Confederate Monuments Should be Removed from Courthouses
CAIR Supports Alabama Bills to End Two Confederate Holidays
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