(WASHINGTON, D.C., 3/9/2021) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization, today welcomed a vote by the Tennessee Historical Commission to remove of a bust of Confederate general and early leader of the Ku Klux Klan Nathan Bedford Forrest from the State Capitol.
Yesterday, CAIR backed a vote to remove the statue. Today, commission members voted 25 to 1 on the petition for a waiver to remove the bust.
SEE: Tennessee Historical Commission votes to move Nathan Bedford Forrest bust from Capitol
Tennessee Historical Commission votes to remove Nathan Bedford Forrest bust from Capitol
CAIR Backs Vote to Remove Bust of Confederate General, KKK Leader from Tennessee Capitol
“We welcome this nearly unanimous vote as a clear sign that white supremacy and racism will not be honored or celebrated in Tennessee,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.
He added that CAIR has repeatedly urged the removal of Confederate holidays, symbols and racist laws.
SEE: CAIR Supports Removal of Confederate Statue in South Carolina, Dropping Confederate Highway Name in Virginia
Hooper 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.
VIDEO: CAIR Director Nihad Awad Speaks at Unveiling of Black Lives Matter Banner
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, 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.
END
CONTACT: CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com