CAIR Says Removal of Confederate Memorials Nationwide a 'Fitting Response' to Terror Attack on Va. Anti-Racist Rally

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on state and local governments across the nation to respond to the deadly terrorist attack on anti-racist protests in Charlottesville, Va., by removing all government monuments and symbols that celebrate the Confederacy. USE:#RemoveConfederateMemorials

CAIR also offered a template resolution to be introduced by public bodies such as state legislatures, city councils and school districts calling for the removal of all Confederate symbols.

SEE: Template Requesting the Removal of All Confederate Memorials, Flags, Street Names, and Symbols from Public Spaces and Property
http://www.cair.com/requesting-the-removal-of-all-confederate-memorials-flags-street-names-and-symbols-from-public-spaces-and-property

On Saturday, CAIR condemned that attack and decried President Trump's "failure of moral leadership" for not immediately joining in near-universal condemnation -- by name -- of the white supremacists, neo-Nazis, the KKK, and other racists groups participating in the hate rally.

The "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville was designed to challenge the removal of a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee from a city park.

Last week, CAIR condemned the racist rally and urged cities nationwide to remove Confederate memorials.

SEE: CAIR Condemns Planned White Supremacist Rally in Virginia, Urges Rejection of Confederate Memorials Nationwide
https://www.cair.com/press-center/press-releases/14520-cair-condemns-planned-white-supremacist-rally-in-virginia-urges-rejection-of-confederate-memorials-nationwide.html

"A fitting response to the deadly terror attack on anti-racists protesters in Charlottesville would be for officials in states and cities nationwide to immediately announce that every street, every school, every flag, and every public memorial honoring those who took up arms in defense of white supremacy and slavery will be removed or have its name changed to instead honor those who fought for civil rights," said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. "Removal of these memorials would be a small step forward in turning the page on the darkest period in our nation's history."

Awad welcomed decisions by officials in Lexington, Ky., and Gainesville, Fla., and Baltimore, Md., to relocate or remove Confederate statues.

SEE: CAIR Welcomes Plans to Relocate Baltimore's Confederate Monuments as 'Step in Right Direction' After Charlottesville Violence
http://cair.com/press-center/press-releases/14531-cair-welcomes-plans-to-relocate-baltimore-s-confederate-monuments-as-step-in-right-direction-after-charlottesville-violence.html 
Confederate Monuments at Kentucky Courthouse Will Be Moved, Lexington Mayor Says
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/14/us/confederate-statue-kentucky.html
Gainesville Removes Confederate Statute
https://www.clickorlando.com/news/florida/gainesville-removes-confederate-statute 
After Charlottesville, Mayor Plans To Remove Baltimore's Confederate Monuments
http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2017/08/14/charlottesville-baltimore-confederate-monuments/ 

CAIR chapters around the nation are participating in events expressing solidarity with the victims of Saturday's terror attack.

SEE: CAIR-NJ to Join Congressman Bill Pascrell in Condemning Terror Attack on Va. Anti-Racist Rally, Decries Trump's 'Failure of Moral Leadership'
http://cair.com/press-center/press-releases/14527-cair-nj-to-join-congressman-bill-pascrell-in-condemning-terror-attack-on-va-anti-racist-rally-decries-trump-s-failure-of-moral-leadership.html
CAIR-Cleveland to Join Interfaith Vigil, Rally Against Hate Tonight at City Hall
http://cair.com/press-center/press-releases/14528-cair-cleveland-to-join-interfaith-vigil-rally-against-hate-tonight-at-city-hall.html 
CAIR-CT: Waterbury Rally Set Following Virginia Incident
http://www.weny.com/story/36131078/waterbury-rally-set-following-virginia-incident 
CAIR-San Diego: Hundreds Gather for Unity Vigil After Violence in Charlottesville
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/public-safety/sd-me-unity-vigil-20170813-story.html 
CAIR-FL Speaks Out Against Charlottesville, VA Violence
http://www.wjhg.com/content/news/Council-on-AmericanIslamic-Relations-speaks-out-against-Charlottlesville-VA-violence-440230323.html

CAIR said it has witnessed an unprecedented increase in hate incidents targeting members of minority groups since the election of Donald Trump.

SEE: American Mosques -- and American Muslims -- are Being Targeted for Hate Like Never Before
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/nation-world/article/American-mosques-and-American-Muslims-are-11742354.php  

The Washington-based civil rights and advocacy organization urges community members to report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR's Civil Rights Department at 202-742-6420 or by filing a report at: http://www.cair.com/report      

CAIR recently launched an app to share critical "know your rights" information and to simplify the process to report hate crimes and bias incidents. CAIR is urging American Muslims and members of other minority groups to download the app and utilize this resource to stay informed and empowered.

For a quick download of CAIR's civil rights app, click here: http://www.cair.com/app    

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.

CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com

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SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)