CAIR-NY to Co-Sponsor #ClosetheCamps Rally, Vigil in Foley Square Against Detention of Migrant Children, Family Separation

MEDIA ADVISORY

CAIR-NY to Co-Sponsor #ClosetheCamps Rally, Vigil in Foley Square Against Detention of Migrant Children, Family Separation

(NEW YORK, N.Y., 7/12/2019) – Later today, the New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, will co-sponsor a rally and vigil in Foley Square to call on Congress to denounce the continued operation of immigrant detention camps and the rampant abuse of migrants seeking help at the border and inside the country. The event is being co-hosted by CAIR-NY, NYIC, New Sanctuary Coalition, and Lights for Liberty. 

WHO: New Sanctuary Coalition, Lights for Liberty, NYIC, CAIR-NY, and Others

WHAT: #ClosetheCamps Rally and Vigil

WHEN: Friday, July 12, 7 – 9 p.m.

WHERE: NYC Foley Square (Lafayette Street Worth Street, Centre St, New York, NY 10013)

CONTACT: CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher, anasher@cair.com, 917-669-4006

CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher stated:

"The shameful conditions experienced by those being held in detention centers is an unacceptable tragedy that no human being should suffer. Irrespective of one’s ethnic, racial or religious background, fleeing from vulnerable situations should not be criminalized. Being human is never ‘illegal.’ We should be horrified and furious to know children’s human rights are violated by the Trump administration as they are forced to sleep on floors in overcrowded and unsanitary facilities, unsure if they will ever be reunited with their families. We ask all people of conscience to stand with us and join in the fight for the inviolable dignity of every life."

Eyewitness accounts last week revealed that children in the camps have been denied soap and toothbrushes, crowded into unsafe conditions, separated from their families, and subjected to harsh treatment that can lead to trauma.

Two weeks ago, images of a father and daughter drowning in the Rio Grande brought close to home the extent and severity of the crisis. 

SEE: The father and daughter who drowned at the border were desperate for a better life, family says

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2019/06/26/father-daughter-who-drowned-border-dove-into-river-desperation/

SEE ALSO: CAIR Issues Immigrant Community Advisory Ahead of Anticipated ICE Raids on Families

https://www.cair.com/cair_issues_immigrant_community_advisory_ahead_of_anticipated_ice_raids_on_families

The civil rights organization has released a Know Your Rights guide to encounters with law enforcement.

SEE: CAIR ‘Know Your Rights During Encounters with Law Enforcement’ Guide

https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/cairhq/pages/1125/attachments/original/1561736429/199334_proof2LR.PDF?1561736429

CAIR offers free know your rights, anti-bullying and bystander intervention workshops, as well as a series of guides to explain relevant Muslim religious practices to employers, educators, healthcare providers, and law enforcement and correctional facility agents.

SEE: Guides to Muslim Religious Practices https://www.cair.com/guides-to-muslim-religious-practices

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

END

CONTACT: CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher, anasher@cair.com, 917-669-4006

CAIR-NY Sues Trump Administration Over Muslim Ban to Reunite Yemeni-American Family

CAIR-NY Sues Trump Administration Over Muslim Ban to Reunite Yemeni-American Family

(NEW YORK, N.Y., 7/8/2019) – The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, filed suit against the Trump Administration for retroactively applying the Muslim Ban to revoke an approved visa for a Yemeni-American family. 

SEE CAIR-NY LAWSUIT

The suit alleges that U.S. Embassy officials approved the plaintiff’s visa in October 2017. Months later, Embassy officials reversed the decision by unlawfully applying the Muslim Ban to revoke a previously approved visa. The Muslim Ban does not permit retroactive application. 

“Our client’s experience is all too familiar for the Yemeni-American community and the families affected by the Muslim Ban,” said Ahmed Mohamed, CAIR-NY Litigation Director. “Simply put, the administration is willing to stoop to any level to keep out Muslims and immigrants and effectuate its white supremacist agenda, including sending women and children to live in a war zone.”  

“The moment our visa was approved was one of the happiest moments of our lives,” said Mr. Saleh Almuganahi, the plaintiff. “I thought I would finally be reunited with my family. Instead, my family has been placed in an indefinite limbo. We are being punished because we happened to be born in Yemen. How does the President expect me to live my life knowing that my wife and two children are trapped in a war zone? As any husband and father, I just want my family out of harm’s way and safe in my arms.”

 Mr. Almuganahi also expressed disbelief that he would be “treated as a second-class citizen” by a country he now calls home. 

"The principle here - that new laws or policies don't apply to the past - is one as old as the Magna Carta,” said Carey Shenkman, CAIR-NY Of Counsel. “Yet the administration is doing precisely that to Mr. Almuganahi and his family, retroactively applying a xenophobic, draconian policy to keep a mother and her two young children separated from their father. We hope that this case can lead to justice for the family, as well as others similarly situated."

According to the complaint, the plaintiff filed a petition for visa for his Yemeni national wife. Plaintiff’s wife was interviewed by the U.S. Embassy in Djibouti. The U.S. Embassy orally informed the family that the visa had been granted and provided written documentation stating “Your visa is approved” months before the Muslim Ban went into effect.  After the Supreme Court lifted the stay on Trump’s Muslim Ban, the U.S. Embassy revoked the visa, applying the Muslim Ban retroactively. 

The plaintiff, Mr. Saleh Almuganahi, is a U.S. citizen and long-time resident of New York City.  Mr. Almuganahi and his wife have two children, both U.S. citizens.  Mr. Almuganahi’s wife and children live in Sana’a, Yemen.  Mr. Almuganahi seeks to reunite his family in America in order to escape the violence of the war in Yemen. 

The lawsuit brought by CAIR-NY argues that these actions violate federal laws and the Constitution.  It seeks an order from the court to force the U.S. Embassy to issue the visa that was already approved. 

Muslims who have had their previously approved visas revoked because of the Muslim Ban are being urged to contact CAIR-NY for assistance by filing an incident report online at https://www.cair-ny.org/incident-report or calling 646-665-7599. 

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

CONTACT: CAIR-NY Litigation Director Ahmed Mohamed, ahmed.mohamed@cair.com, 646-481-2103; CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher, anasher@cair.com, 917-669-4006.

BREAKING: CAIR-NY Welcomes SCOTUS Decision Blocking Citizenship Question on 2020 Census for Now

CAIR-NY Welcomes SCOTUS Decision Blocking Citizenship Question on 2020 Census for Now

(NEW YORK, N.Y., 6/27/19) – The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to block a question about citizenship status from being included in the 2020 Census.

“The Trump Administration has been relentless in its xenophobic assaults, but today is a day of celebration for our immigrant population,” said CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher. “Our vital immigrant population can now be counted in the census without intimidation, and in doing so, will improve its accuracy. Every resident, regardless of citizenship status, deserves to be amongst those who share in the hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding to programs that are crucial to the well-being of families and communities."

“CAIR New York stands ready to support immigrant communities to ensure an accurate count and to protect census data from abuse,” said CAIR-NY Litigation Director Ahmed Mohamed. “The Department of Commerce, Census Bureau, and President need to respect the Supreme Court’s decision and immediately proceed with a 2020 Census that does not include the citizenship question. The President has had his day in court and must now abide by the law. New Yorkers will not be intimidated; we will be counted in the 2020 Census. ”

CAIR-NY noted that, while the Supreme Court was unwilling to allow the citizenship question at this time, the decision indicated that the Trump administration could offer a more convincing justification for including the citizenship question on the census at a later date.

Last year, the United States Department of Commerce, which oversees the census, said that the question will be added at the request of the U.S. Department of Justice to prevent violations of the Voting Rights Act. President Trump falsely claimed that millions of illegal immigrants voted in the 2016 presidential election.

Census data determines representation in Congress and how the federal government allocates more than $400 billion in public funds to state, local and tribal governments. Faith-based organizations and institutions can use census data to apply for grants.

Researchers estimated that the citizenship question would reduce responses by 8 percent.

SEE: U.S. Census Bureau Working Paper: "Predicting the Effect of Adding a Citizenship Question to the 2020 Census" (June 2019
https://apps.npr.org/documents/document.html?id=6165808-U-S-Census-Bureau-Working-Paper-Understandin

Earlier this year, CAIR and its New York chapter (CAIR-NY) joined the Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality and three American citizens of Japanese descent who were incarcerated during World War II in filing an amicus brief supporting challengers of the 2020 census citizenship question.

SEE: CAIR, CAIR-NY Join Japanese Americans Incarcerated in World War II and the Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality in SCOTUS Brief Challenging Census Citizenship Question
https://www.cair.com/cair_cair_ny_join_japanese_americans_incarcerated_in_world_war_ii_and_the_fred_t_korematsu_center_for_law_and_equality_in_scotus_brief_challenging_census_citizenship_questio

A federal court in Maryland recently heard evidence indicating that the Trump administration conspired with an anti-immigrant extremist to include the citizenship question for the purpose of discriminating against Latinos and other immigrant communities.

SEE: Federal judge says census citizenship question merits more consideration in light of new evidence
https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2019/06/19/maryland-judge-rules-new-evidence-census-citizenship-question-lawsuit

The New York-based civil rights organization encourages the New York Muslim community to be counted.

In January, a federal judge in New York struck down the proposal to include a citizenship question but the Trump administration appealed the ruling, taking it to the Supreme Court.

SEE: CAIR Applauds Judge’s Decision on 2020 Census Citizenship Question
https://www.cair.com/cair_applauds_judge_s_decision_on_2020_census_citizenship_questio

When the citizenship question was first proposed, CAIR issued a statement decrying it as a part of President Trump’s ‘White Supremacist Agenda

SEE: CAIR Says Citizenship Question on Census Part of Trump’s ‘White Supremacist Agenda
https://www.cair.com/cair_says_citizenship_question_on_census_part_of_trump_s_white_supremacist_agend

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

END

CONTACT: CAIR-NY Litigation Director Ahmed Mohamed, ahmed.mohamed@cair.com, 646-481-2103; CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher, anasher@cair.com, 917-669-4006.

Know Your Rights - ICE Raid Preparedness

ICE Raid Preparedness 

Hotlines/Apps:

●      United We Dream MigraWatch Hotline 1-844-363-1423

●      United We Dream Notifica App

Know Your Rights Resources:

●      Informed Immigrant: Know Your Rights

●      Immigrant Defense Project Know Your Rights Flyers in English or Spanish

●      United We Dream Know Your Power, Know Your Rights

●      American Immigration Lawyers Association Know Your Rights Handouts in English or Spanish

●      National Immigrant Justice Center Know Your Rights Graphics on preparing for ICE raids

●      CLINIC: Know Your Rights in Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Haitian Creole, Korean, and Vietnamese

●      American Federation of Teachers Know Your Rights for Families and Students

Rights During Raids:

●      Immigrant Legal Resource Center Red Cards

●      ACLU What to Do If Immigration Agents (ICE) Are at Your Door & Video in English and Spanish

●      ACLU What to Do When Interacting with ICE- Videos in 7 languages

●      American Federation of Teachers Do’s and Don’ts for students if ICE authorities come to their homes

●      National Immigration Law Center Rights at Home & Know Your Rights

●      SEIU Know Your Rights

Family Preparedness Plans:

●      Informed Immigrant Emergency Plan for Detained or Deported Family Members

●      SEIU Raids Response Checklist

●      CLINIC: Emergency Planning Guide

●      Michigan Immigrant Rights Center Preparing Your Family Guide in English and Spanish & Family Preparedness for Immigration Enforcement Video in English or in Spanish

Parental and Family Rights Toolkits:

●      Women’s Refugee Commission Parental Rights Toolkit for detained and deported immigrants

●      Freedom for Immigrants Information for Families of Detained Immigrants

General Guides:

●      Informed Immigrant Guide on how to prepare for an immigration raid

●      American Immigration Lawyers Association: Resources for Responding to Raids

●      Immigrant Legal Resource Center Compilation of Resources on Raids

●      National Immigration Law Center Toolkit for Organizations Responding to Mass Immigration Raids

Community Resources:

●      National Immigration Law Center How to Be Prepared for an Immigration Raid

●      Fair Immigration Reform Movement Community Raid Preparedness Checklist

●      National Immigrant Justice Center Community Resources

●      National Immigration Project Pre-Raid Community Safety Plan & Community Resources on Raids

●      CLINIC: Rapid Response Toolkit for Advocates and Communities

●      The Episcopal Church Resources for Communities During ICE Raids

●      LA RED: Deportation Defense Guide for the Faith Community

●      Rapid Response Toolkit for Faith Allies (shared by Church World Service)

Rights in Detention:

●      National Immigrant Justice Center Rights in Detention in English or Spanish

●      ICE Detainee Locator

Legal Providers:

●      Informed Immigrant Legal Service Locator

●      UnidosUS’s ImmLocal tool

CAIR-NY Condemns Second ‘Kill Arabs’ Anti-Muslim Graffiti in Brooklyn; Calls for Public’s Help Identifying Culprit

CAIR-NY Condemns Second ‘Kill Arabs’ Anti-Muslim Graffiti in Brooklyn; Calls for Public’s Help Identifying Culprit  

(NEW YORK, NY, 6/20/19) – The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the latest incident of anti-Muslim graffiti, this time at a Brooklyn elementary school.

A worker at the school in Sheepshead Bay arrived at work Monday to discovery the hate-filled messages ‘Kill Arabs’ and ‘Muslims suck’ scrawled on the doors.  This incident comes on the heels on a similar “Kill Arabs” hate message reported Sunday afternoon at a B44 bus stop on Nostrand Avenue and Avenue V.  Both incidents are being investigated by the NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force. 

SEE: Anti-Muslim messages sprayed on Muslim elementary school

https://abc7ny.com/anti-muslim-messages-sprayed-on-brooklyn-elementary-school/5352839/

CAIR-NY Condemns ‘Kill Arabs’ Hate Message in Brooklyn

https://www.cair-ny.org/news/2019/6/19/cair-ny-condemns-kill-arabs-hate-message-in-brooklyn

'Kill Arabs' Graffiti Scrawled on Brooklyn Bus Stop, Rep Says

https://patch.com/new-york/brooklyn/kill-arabs-graffiti-scrawled-brooklyn-bus-stop-rep-says

The NYPD released surveillance footage of a potential suspect. He is described to be about 60 years old, 5-foot-10, 220 pounds and partially bald with white hair and a beard. The use of similar phrases led the police to suspect that the same person is responsible for both crimes.

CAIR-NY’s Executive Director Afaf Ñasher stated:

“This blatant act of hate against Muslims in the Sheepshead Bay community cannot be taken lightly. The fact that an elementary school was a target of these acts gives us even more incentive to take prompt action. It is unacceptable for our youth to be exposed to this bigotry. 

“We ask law enforcement officials to do everything in their power to bring the perpetrator to justice and to assist in creating a secure, welcoming and hate free environment for our children and community members."

CAIR-NY is asking New Yorkers to help identify the perpetrator. Individuals with information should call 1-888-440-HATE. Individual may contact CAIR-NY with assistance in making reports or tips to the NYPD. 

Individuals in New York are asked to report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR-NY at (646) 665-7599, or by filing a report at: http://www.cair-ny.org/incident-report/

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.

END`

CONTACT:  CAIR-NY Litigation Director Ahmed Mohamed, ahmedmohamed@cair.com; 646-481-2103; CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher, anasher@cair.com; 917-669-4006

CAIR-NY Launches Anti-Surveillance Project

CAIR-NY Launches Anti-Surveillance Project

(NEW YORK, NY, 06/19/19) – The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today announced the launch of its Anti-Surveillance Project – a platform that seeks to educate New Yorkers about the prevalence and methods of surveillance  and empower the public through community organizing for common-sense safeguards and civic engagement specifically focused on ending abusive surveillance practices targeting immigrant, persons of color, and Muslim communities. The Anti-Surveillance Project will be housed online at www.aspny.org

VISIT: The Anti-Surveillance Project of NY - A CAIR-NY Project

The NYPD, along with other city and state agencies, have quietly amassed a broad range of new surveillance technologies without public notice, debate, or oversight. According to the 2016 report from the New York Inspector General, Muslims are about 3% of NYC’s population but were the target of 95% of the NYPD’s surveillance.

SEE: 2016 New York Inspector General Report

SEE: Keeping eyes on NYPD surveillance: Time for the City Council to increase scrutiny of Stingrays and other technology

“At a time when Islamophobia and hate run rampant and marginalized communities are constantly attacked on many fronts; it is imperative to stand up against structures and policies that allow it to flourish. According to the New York Inspector General’s own report, the Muslim community is the target of 95% of the NYPD’s surveillance, despite accounting for 3% of NYC’s population. We must hold New York to a higher standard until biased and broken facial recognition algorithms are fixed and commonsense reform and safeguards are put into place on invasive technologies,” said CAIR-NY’s Outreach Coordinator Muhammad Sattaur.

“The NYPD has a track record of using invasive practices to profile and target disenfranchised groups, including a multiple year suspicionless surveillance program that swept up Muslim communities throughout New York City and beyond. The rights and dignity of all New Yorkers must be respected, and this requires transparency and accountability from the largest police force in the country. We are not numbers or data to be collected and disseminated. We are a community of people and are demanding change,” said CAIR-NY’s Anti-Surveillance Fellow Anna Ellison.

SEE: How the NYPD targets Muslims 

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.

END

CAIR-NY Condemns ‘Kill Arabs’ Hate Message in Brooklyn

(NEW YORK, NY, 6/18/19) – The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) today condemned “kill Arabs” hate graffiti in Brooklyn and thanked public officials for expressions of solidarity with the targeted community.

Brooklyn City Council Member Chaim Deutsch tweeted an image of "Kill Arabs” graffiti on a bus shelter at Nostrand Avenue and Avenue V. The borough’s president issued a statement Monday asking for information about the hate message and expressing solidarity with the Arab-American community.

SEE: 'Kill Arabs' Graffiti Scrawled on Brooklyn Bus Stop, Rep Says

https://patch.com/new-york/brooklyn/kill-arabs-graffiti-scrawled-brooklyn-bus-stop-rep-says

“With the way our public officials and media speak of and portray Muslims, it is no surprise that Islamophobia is rampant. However, Muslim New Yorkers are strong. We will not let threats stop us from making this city and country a better place for all. We hope the NYPD will thoroughly investigate and hold those responsible to the fullest extent of the law,” said CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher.

On Saturday, CAIR-NY joined other civil rights activists and community partners at a rally in the Bronx to demand action following a decision by the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force to drop its investigation of the allegedly bias-motivated beating of a Black Muslim woman.

Video: CAIR-NY, Partners Hold Rally After Bias Attack on Black Muslim Woman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dB1x0X1gOGw

The Washington-based civil rights organization said it has witnessed an unprecedented spike in bigotry targeting American Muslims and members of other minority groups since the election of Donald Trump as president.

SEE: CAIR-Dallas Calls for Probe of Hate Attack on American Muslim Mother of Two at Dallas Starbucks

https://www.cair.com/cair_dallas_calls_for_probe_of_hate_attack_on_american_muslim_mother_of_two_at_dallas_starbucks

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.

Individuals in New York are asked to report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR-NY at (646) 665-7599, or by filing a report at: http://www.cair-ny.org/incident-report/

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.

Become a Fan of CAIR-NY on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/CAIRNewYork/

Subscribe to CAIR-NY's E-Mail List
https://www.cair-ny.org/

Follow CAIR-NY on Twitter
https://twitter.com/CAIRNewYork

Follow CAIR-NY on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/cairnewyork/

END

CONTACT:  CAIR-NY Litigation Director Ahmed Mohamed, ahmedmohamed@cair.com, 646-481-2103; CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher, anasher@cair.com, 917-669-4006

CAIR-NY, Partners to Rally and Demand Action After NYPD Hate Crimes Unit and Bronx District Attorney's Office Drop Probe of Bias Attack on Black Muslim Woman

NYPD Deputy Inspector Mark Molinari Refuses to Investigate While Admitting “It may have been a hate crime,” citing unwillingness of the Bronx DA's office to prosecute

(NEW YORK, NY, 6/12/19) – On Saturday, June 15, the New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), along with civil rights activists and community partners, will hold a rally in the Bronx to demand action following a decision by the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force to drop its investigation of the allegedly bias-motivated beating of a Black Muslim woman, Fatoumata Camara. 

In a phone call with a CAIR-NY representative, the head of the Hate Crimes Task Force, Deputy Inspector Mark Molinari reportedly admitted that the attack on Ms. Camara “may have been a hate crime,” but that the investigation will not be pursued by his unit because the Bronx District Attorney will not prosecute if the victim cannot identify the attacker.  Molinari is refusing to investigate despite the fact that the Task Force has not interviewed Ms. Camara and that there are surveillance videos, photographs and a witness that could identify the attackers. 

CAIR-NY is the victim’s legal representative.  CAIR-NY contacted the Bronx District Attorney asking if it had spoken with the Hate Crimes Task Force.  The Bronx DA did not respond. 

WHAT: Rally to Demand Action & Seek #JusticeforFatou 
WHERE: Rev. Lena Irons Unity Park, E. 168th Street, The Bronx, NY 10456
WHEN: Saturday, June 15, 12:30 – 3 p.m.
CONTACT:  CAIR-NY Litigation Director Ahmed Mohamed, ahmedmohamed@cair.com; 646-481-2103; CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher, anasher@cair.com; 917-669-4006

SEE: Muslim Woman Investigated Her Own Hate Crime After NYPD Dismissed Her Case

Video: CAIR-NY Represents Muslim Woman Beaten by Group of Teens Hurling Religious, Racial Insults
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QTlNwXMyFA

CAIR-NY Litigation Director Ahmed Mohamed stated:

“Ms. Camara has suffered twice -- once by the hate crime, and again, by the NYPD's continued refusal to adequately investigate the brutal attack and the Bronx District Attorney's apparent disinterest in prosecuting the matter. The trauma suffered by Ms. Camara is tremendous. A victim's inability to identify her attackers while under the shock of trauma is not a reason for the Hate Crimes Task Force and the Bronx District Attorney's office to reject a hate crimes probe. Ms. Camara, herself, delivered video surveillance evidence of the perpetrators identities from the moment of the attack. This unwillingness to move forward is a shameful demonstration of why community trust in law enforcement is so low. It begs the question, if Ms. Camara was anyone other than an immigrant, black, Muslim woman, would a more thorough investigation be delivered?”

Last week, CAIR-NY joined the New York City Commission on Human Rights, the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, Action Network, The Bronx Borough President’s African Advisory Council, African Immigrant’s Commission, the Young African Network, and the Guinean Community of North America (GUICA) at a Day of Visibility (DOV) to bring awareness to the incident.

The Washington-based civil rights organization said it has witnessed an unprecedented spike in bigotry targeting American Muslims and members of other minority groups since the election of Donald Trump as president

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.

Individuals in New York are asked to report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR-NY at (646) 665-7599, or by filing a report at: http://www.cair-ny.org/incident-report/

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.

Become a Fan of CAIR-NY on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/CAIRNewYork/

Subscribe to CAIR-NY's E-Mail List
https://www.cair-ny.org/

Follow CAIR-NY on Twitter
https://twitter.com/CAIRNewYork

Follow CAIR-NY on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/cairnewyork/

CAIR-NY: N.Y. Muslims to Mark End of Ramadan with Prayers, Celebrations

CAIR-NY: N.Y. Muslims to Mark End of Ramadan with Prayers, Celebrations

(NEW YORK, N.Y., 6/3/19) - On or about Tuesday, June 4, 2019* the Muslim community in New York will celebrate the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan with communal prayers and festive celebrations.

[NOTE: Ramadan is the month on the Islamic lunar calendar during which Muslims abstain from food, drink and other sensual pleasures from break of dawn to sunset. *Because dates may vary, consult local mosques or Muslim community leaders for exact dates and times of Eid ul-Fitr activities.]

The prayers mark the beginning of the Eid ul-Fitr (EED-al-FITTER), or “feast of fast breaking” holiday, in which Muslims exchange social visits and seek to strengthen family and community bonds. During this holiday, Muslims greet each other by saying “Eid mubarak” (EED-moo-BAR-ak), meaning “blessed Eid,” and “taqabbalallah ta’atakum,” or “may God accept your deeds.” Many communities also hold multicultural bazaars and other family activities following the prayers.

Eid ul-Fitr is the first of the two major Muslim holidays. The second holiday, Eid ul-Adha (EED-al-ODD-ha), comes near the end of the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca.

WHEN: Tuesday, June 4, (Consult local mosques for exact dates and times.) Prayers are held early in the morning. Ask local prayer coordinators for exact dates, times and locations. Celebrations generally occur after communal prayers. 

WHERE: The Eid prayers are held either in local mosques or in public facilities designed to accommodate large gatherings.

CONTACT: Call local Muslim organizations for details about Eid celebrations. If there are no known contacts in a particular community, contact CAIR-NY.

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: Each year, Muslims come to the prayers in colorful attire representative of different areas of the Islamic world. The prayers themselves are quite visual, with worshipers arranged in neat rows and bowing in prayer in unison. Participants exchange embraces at the conclusion of the prayers. Celebrations include family and community gatherings, parties, and gifts for children.   

NOTE: Because this is a religious service, reporters and photographers of both sexes should dress modestly. Some communities may ask female reporters and photographers to put a scarf over their hair while in the actual prayer area. Photographers should arrive early to get into position for the best shots. Photographers are also advised not to step directly in front of worshipers and to seek permission for close-up shots. Shots of shoes removed for prayer, and rear-angle shots of prostrating worshipers are considered inappropriate.

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.

Become a Fan of CAIR-NY on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/CAIRNewYork/

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END

CONTACT:  CAIR-NY Litigation Director Ahmed Mohamed, ahmedmohamed@cair.com; 646-481-2103; CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher, anasher@cair.com; 917-669-4006

CAIR-NY Applauds Attorney General Letitia James for Swift Action in Response to Teacher’s Mock “Slave Auction”

CAIR-NY Applauds Attorney General Letitia James for Swift Action in Response to Teacher’s Mock “Slave Auction”

The Chapel School (Google Image)

(NEW YORK, NY, 06/01/19) -- The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today applauded Attorney General Letitia James for her office’s swift action in investigating and responding to a teacher’s mock “slave auctions” at The Chapel School, a private Lutheran school located in Bronxville.

In March 2019, a teacher at The Chapel School set up simulations of “slave auctions” for two fifth-grade classes.  According to the Attorney General’s office: “The teacher then placed imaginary chains or “shackles,” on these students’ necks, wrists, and ankles, and had them walk back into the classroom. The teacher then instructed the African-American students to line up against the wall, and proceeded to conduct a simulated auction of the African-American students in front of the rest of the class. These “auctions” reenacted the sale of African-American students to their white counterparts.”

SEE: Attorney General James Announces Agreement with The Chapel School Following Teacher’s Mock “Slave Auction”

https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/attorney-general-james-announces-agreement-chapel-school-following-teachers-mock-slave

“It is disturbing that the teacher felt comfortable enough to recreate “slave auctions” as a way to educate the students about America’s atrocities,” said CAIR-NY Litigation Director Ahmed Mohamed.  “This conduct has no place in any classroom.  We are grateful that Attorney General Letitia James and her team took these allegations seriously, investigated thoroughly, and reached an agreement to promote a safe learning environment for African-American students and all students at The Chapel School.” 

Per the agreement between the Attorney General and the school, the school will:

·         Hire a Chief Diversity Officer, subject to the Attorney General’s approval; 

·         Develop and submit a Staff Diversification Plan proposing steps the school will take annually to increase minority representation among the school’s teaching faculty; 

·         Commit new financial aid to maintain and increase diversity within the student body; 

·         Submit a new Code of Conduct, subject to the Attorney General’s approval, governing all school community members and specifically addressing racial and ethnic discrimination and harassment, as well as other prohibited behaviors; 

·         Submit a School Discipline Reform Plan, intended to ensure equal application of disciplinary techniques to all students, with an emphasis on providing constructive feedback and teaching alternative or replacement behaviors to students; 

·         Identify and retain a Diversity Consultant to assist the school in developing training protocols to train students and school employees on racial/ethnic diversity and sensitivity in the educational setting, with training to follow no less than twice per academic year; 

·         Create a formal complaint procedure that students or parents may use to notify the school of complaints regarding harassment or discrimination, and publicize the new procedure to school community members; and  

·         Maintain records of complaints, investigations of complaints, and the implementation of other elements of relief in the agreement. 

The Washington-based civil rights organization has witnessed an unprecedented spike in bigotry targeting American Muslims, immigrants and members of other minority groups since the election of Donald Trump as president. CAIR has repeatedly expressed concern about Islamophobic, white supremacist and racist Trump administration policies and appointments.

Individuals in New York are asked to report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR-NY at (646) 665-7599, or by filing a report at: http://www.cair-ny.org/incident-report/

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.

END

CONTACT:  CAIR-NY Litigation Director Ahmed Mohamed, ahmedmohamed@cair.com; 646-481-2103; CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher, anasher@cair.com; 917-669-4006.

CAIR-NY Condemns Anti-Semitic Vandalism at Brooklyn’s Prospect Park

CAIR-NY Condemns Anti-Semitic Vandalism at Brooklyn’s Prospect Park

A crude Nazi swastika scrawled in blue spray paint was discovered by a Brooklyn woman walking through a bridge underpass in Prospect Park on Saturday. (Shoshana Dornhelm)

(NEW YORK, NY, 05/27/19) -- The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the anti-Semitic vandalism discovered on Saturday at Prospect Park.

On Saturday afternoon, a pedestrian in the park discovered a Nazi swastika and the words “No Jews” spray painted beneath a bridge overpass in the center of the park.  The incident is being investigated by the NYPD as a potential hate crime.

SEE: Nazi hate symbol scrawled on tunnel wall in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, latest in year of increased hate crimes.

https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-swastika-prospect-park-hate-crimes-20190526-gtpwezg7dja2xedbkxglbauxme-story.html?fbclid=IwAR3yfurXqooxgyYtitzSy4HM3XrY2SL9D-dvdqbf6lmrx2ihKt-LdkD_zNs

“Sadly, anti-Semitism continues to be a growing threat to our Jewish neighbors and to our nation.” said CAIR-NY Litigation Director Ahmed Mohamed.  “New Yorkers of all faiths must unite to denounce and tackle the hateful ideology that produces these vile acts. Hate has no place in our city, and we hope the individual responsible is brought to justice.”

Earlier this month, CAIR-NY condemned a hate attack on a Jewish, Hasidic man in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

SEE: https://www.cair-ny.org/news/2019/5/27/cair-ny-condemns-hate-attack-on-jewish-hasidic-man

CAIR-NY and the American Muslim community have in the past expressed solidarity with Jewish, Christian, Native American, African-American, and Sikh communities in New Mexico, Florida, South Carolina, Maryland, Alabama, Massachusetts, South Dakota, Ohio, Texas, and other states following acts of hate, threats, violence, vandalism, arson, or bombings.

Individuals in New York are asked to report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR-NY at (646) 665-7599, or by filing a report at: http://www.cair-ny.org/incident-report/

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.

END

CONTACT:  CAIR-NY Litigation Director Ahmed Mohamed, ahmedmohamed@cair.com; 646-481-2103; CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher, anasher@cair.com; 917-669-4006.

CAIR-NY Condemns Hate Attack on Jewish, Hasidic Man

CAIR-NY Condemns Hate Attack on Jewish, Hasidic Man

(NEW YORK, NY, 05/06/19) -- The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), a leading Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the bias-motivated attack on a Jewish, Hasidic man in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

According to reports, a Hasidic man, wearing religious attire, was confronted by a group of men and without saying a word one of the men punched the victim in the face.  Another man in the group, shouted anti-Semitic slurs, including “you (expletive) Jew!”

The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating the incident.  

SEE: https://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/headlines-breaking-stories/1723519/hate-in-williamsburg-hasidic-man-punched-in-the-face-on-shabbos-anti-semitic-slur-hurled-at-him.html?fbclid=IwAR0y4Eibms8Ytyih7dU6WU86rmn4xwfz-SeJz9grcyhfmhynDii5pTHzYvo

“The assault against a Jewish man perpetrated because of his faith is despicable and intolerable,” said CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher. “CAIR-NY offers its empathy to the victim and appreciation to the NYPD's Hate Crimes Task Force for its ongoing investigation. As Muslims celebrating the holy month of Ramadan, we also offer prayers for an end to the hatred that spur such crimes.”

CAIR-NY and the American Muslim community have in the past expressed solidarity with Jewish, Christian, Native American, African-American, and Sikh communities in New Mexico, Florida, South Carolina, Maryland, Alabama, Massachusetts, South Dakota, Ohio, Texas, and other states following acts of hate, threats, violence, vandalism, arson, or bombings.  

Individuals in New York are asked to report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR-NY at (646) 665-7599, or by filing a report at: http://www.cair-ny.org/incident-report/

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.

END

CONTACT:  CAIR-NY Litigation Director Ahmed Mohamed, ahmedmohamed@cair.com; 646-481-2103; CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher, anasher@cair.com; 917-669-4006.

CAIR-NY Calls for Meeting with ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’ Producers Over Islamophobic Episode

(NEW YORK, N.Y., 5/13/19) – The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today joined CAIR National in calling on producers of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (SVU) to meet with Muslim community leaders following an episode of that long-running program viewed as Islamophobic and racist.

CAIR said the episode, which included a character clearly based on real-life Muslim Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-MN), falsely conflated support for Palestinian rights with anti-Semitism, portrayed Muslim men in a negative light and suggested that growing Islamophobia in America is a hoax.

SEE: 'Law and Order: SVU' Episode Called 'Racist' and 'Extremely Offensive' for News-Based Storyline

https://in.news.yahoo.com/law-and-order-svu-episode-called-racist-and-extremely-offensive-221041306.html

In a letter to SVU creator and Executive Producer Dick Wolf, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad wrote in part:

“This racist and Islamophobic episode of Law & Order: SVU distorted current events to create a ridiculous plot line that mocks the real hatred being experienced by real American Muslims and other minority communities. We urge you and your staff to meet with leaders of the Muslim community to learn why this episode makes the rising tide of bigotry even worse, and what you can to do mitigate the damage that has already been done."

CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher said: “It is incumbent on producers to be responsible and avoid enflaming Islamophobia. As we have seen here in New York, Islamophobes have been emboldened by the rhetoric in our political discourse and all Law and Order SUV did was lend a hand to anti-Muslim bigots as they try to mainstream Islamophobia.”

CAIR recently released a groundbreaking report, called “Hijacked by Hate: American Philanthropy and the Islamophobia Network,” listing the philanthropic foundations, many of them mainstream, that were used by anonymous special interest donors to funnel almost $125 million to anti-Muslim hate groups between 2014 and 2016.

The report’s authors noted that one outcome of the funding and promotion of anti-Muslim hate and conspiracy theories has been the measurable nationwide increase in often-fatal anti-Muslim hate violence, bullying of children and discrimination. The period covered by the report showed a marked increase in anti-Muslim hate violence and discrimination.

New CAIR Report: Anonymous Donors Use Mainstream Philanthropic Groups to Funnel Millions to Anti-Muslim Hate Groups

https://www.cair.com/new_cair_report_anonymous_donors_use_mainstream_philanthropic_groups_to_funnel_millions_to_anti_muslim_hate_groups

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-NY Litigation Director Ahmed Mohamed; ahmedmohamed@cair.com; 646-481-2103; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com 

New CAIR Report to Show How Anonymous Donors Use Mainstream Philanthropic Groups to Funnel Millions to Anti-Muslim Hate Groups

MEDIA ADVISORY 

New CAIR Report to Show How Anonymous Donors Use Mainstream Philanthropic Groups to Funnel Millions to Anti-Muslim Hate Groups 
Report, ‘Hijacked by Hate: American Philanthropy and the Islamophobia Network,’ details how anti-Muslim hate groups have exploited American charities  

(NEW YORK, N.Y., 5/2/19) – On Monday, May 6, the New York chapter of the  Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, will release a one-of-its-kind report detailing a list of philanthropic foundations, many of them mainstream, that were used by anonymous special interest donors to funnel almost $125 million between 2014 and 2016 to anti-Muslim hate groups.  

[NOTE: The release date coincides with the first day of Ramadan, which begins on or about May 6. Because the beginning of Islamic lunar months depends on the actual sighting of the new moon, the start and end dates for Ramadan may vary.] 

CAIR’s report, “Hijacked by Hate: American Philanthropy and the Islamophobia Network,” documents how more than 1,000 foundations funneled almost $125 million to 39 anti-Muslim hate groups during that period, which saw a marked increase in anti-Muslim hate violence and discrimination.   

The money was used to support anti-Muslim legislation and policies, conduct anti-Muslim lobbying, distribute false and defamatory information to mainstream media and on social media, and run public campaigns promoting conspiracy theories tied to issues such as mosque construction.  

WHAT: CAIR-NY News Conference to Release, ‘Hijacked by Hate: American Philanthropy and the Islamophobia Network’ 
WHEN: Monday, May 6, 10 a.m. EST  
WHERE: 575 Fifth Avenue, Room 14B, New York, NY 10017
CONTACT: CAIR-NY Litigation Director Ahmed Mohamed, ahmedmohamed@cair.com; 646-481-2103; CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher, anasher@cair.com; 917-669-4006.

[MEDIA NOTE: CAIR-NY’s news conference will be live-streamed on its Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CAIRNewYork/]

“These anti-Muslim groups have access to more than a billion dollars that is used to promote their anti-Muslim agenda,” said CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher. “They use these resources to advance hate and anti-Muslim conspiracy theories and promote prejudicial and biased media content.”  

Other issues covered in the report include the placement of Islamophobes in national policy-making positions and the nationwide campaign to introduce anti-Islam bills in state legislatures.  

CAIR-NY Litigation Director Ahmed Mohamed said: “Islamophobia is now part of our mainstream public life because special interest groups have abused tax-free charities, foundations and non-profit laws to further their hate-filled agenda.”  

He noted that one outcome of the funding and promotion of anti-Muslim hate and conspiracy theories has been the measurable increase in anti-Muslim hate violence and discrimination. 

CAIR recently urged mosques and other Islamic institutions to take measures outlined in its "Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety" booklet. 

SEE: CAIR Urges Muslim Communities to Step Up Security During Upcoming Ramadan Fast 

Community members are urged to report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR-NY's Civil Rights Department at 646-665-7599 or by filing a report at: https://www.cair-ny.org/incident-report

CAIR’s app shares critical “know your rights” information and simplifies the process of reporting hate crimes and bias incidents. CAIR urges 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-NY is New York’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-NY 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-NY Litigation Director Ahmed Mohamed, ahmedmohamed@cair.com; 646-481-2103; CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher, anasher@cair.com; 917-669-4006.

CAIR-NY Calls on St. Lawrence Lawmaker to Resign Following Hate-Filled Islamophobic Post Endangering Lives of New Yorkers

(NEW YORK, N.Y., 4/29/19) – The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called for the resignation of Rita E. Curran (R-Massena), St. Lawrence County Legislator District 15, for posting an Islamophobic post on Facebook that may incite violence against New Yorkers and all Americans who are Muslim or perceived as Muslim. 

Curran’s post features a 9/11 image of the North Tower burning at the World Trade Center as a second plane is about to hit the South Tower.  Above the image, Curran wrote “Every time a Muslim stand up (sic) in Congress and tells us they are going to change the Constitution, impeach the president, or vote for socialism, remember you swore you would never forget. They swore they would destroy us from within.”  The county’s Democratic Committee has called for her resignation.  

SEE:  https://www.wwnytv.com/story/40375853/st-lawrence-county-lawmaker-under-fire-over-facebook-post

"Over and over again we have seen hate speech lead to hate violence taking lives across our nation,” said CAIR-NY's Executive Director, Afaf Nasher. “Legislator Rita Curran's vicious post falsely and dangerously invokes false anti-Muslim conspiracy theories and endangers the lives of millions of New Yorkers and all Americans that are Muslim or perceived as Muslim.”

She added, “Ms. Curran's poisonous, bigoted remarks manifest hatred towards a pluralistic society, and it is her blatant discrimination that threatens the Constitution she swore to uphold."  

“Hate speech leads to hate violence against all Americans, especially religious minorities as evidenced by recent spikes in attacks against Muslims and Jews,” said CAIR-NY Litigation Director Ahmed Mohamed. “Ms. Curran should be ashamed for trying to exploit a national tragedy to incite anti-Muslim hysteria and questioning the ability of Muslims to serve their country.  Her rhetoric is dangerous and unacceptable. She has demonstrated that she is not fit to hold political office and must resign her post immediately.”

He continued, “If Ms. Curran does not resign, the County Legislature must remove her immediately. Failing to do so would be an endorsement of her hate speech against American Muslims.” 

CAIR-NY cited recent hate violence targeting American Jews, Muslims and other Americans perceived as Muslim. 

SEE: https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/islamic-center-escondido-mosque-epd-efd-sdso-reported-arson-unit-507585851.html 

SEE: https://www.statesman.com/news/20190424/man-tried-to-set-north-austin-mosque-on-fire-authorities-say

SEE: https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/26/us/california-sunnyvale-crash-suspect/index.html

SEE: https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/28/us/california-synagogue-shooting-victims/index.html

Last month, the Connecticut chapter of CAIR called for the resignation of member of the Stamford Board of Representatives, for sharing anti-Muslim and xenophobic posts on Facebook.

SEE: CAIR-CT Calls for Resignation of Conn. Official Over Xenophobic, Islamophobic Posts

https://www.cair.com/cair_ct_calls_for_resignation_of_conn_official_over_xenophobic_islamophobic_posts

Also, last month, the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh chapters of CAIR called for the resignation of a local school board member who shared anti-Muslim posts on Facebook and Twitter.

SEE: CAIR-Pennsylvania Calls for Resignation of Local School Board Official Over Anti-Muslim Posts

https://www.cair.com/cair_pennsylvania_calls_for_resignation_of_local_school_board_official_over_anti_muslim_posts

In February, CAIR-Pittsburgh joined the NAACP Allegheny East Branch in calling for the resignation of Plum Borough School District Member Brian Wisniewski who shared an anti-Muslim Facebook. Wisniewski resigned from his post under pressure.

SEE: School Board Member Resigns Over Anti-Muslim Facebook Post

In January, CAIR-Florida called for the resignation of a local commissioner who claimed online that newly-elected Muslim Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib might ‘blow up’ Capitol Hill.

SEE: CAIR-Florida Calls for Resignation of Hallandale Beach Commissioner Who Claimed Muslim Congresswoman Might ‘Blow Up’ Capitol Hill

The New York-based civil rights organization has witnessed an unprecedented spike in bigotry targeting American Muslims, immigrants and members of other minority groups since the election of Donald Trump as president. CAIR-New York has repeatedly expressed concern about Islamophobic, white supremacist and racist Trump administration policies.

 In a published report, CAIR noted a 17 percent increase in bias-motivated incidents and a 15 percent increase in hate crimes against American Muslims since Trump took office.

SEE: 2018 Civil Rights Report: Targeted

http://www.islamophobia.org/reports/224-2018-civil-rights-report-targeted.html

 Muslim community members are asked to report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR-NY at (646) 665-7599, or by filing a report at: http://www.cair-ny.org/incident-report/ 

CAIR-NY is New York’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-NY 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-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher, 917-669-4006, anasher@cair.com; CAIR-NY Litigation Director Ahmed Mohamed, 646-481-2103, ahmedmohamed@cair.com

CAIR-NY Calls on Leaders to #StandWithIlhan After Trump’s Islamophobic Tweet Endangers Rep. Ilhan

CAIR-NY Calls on Leaders to #StandWithIlhan After Trump’s Islamophobic Tweet Endangers Rep. Ilhan Omar

CAIl-NY also called on Twitter to remove the video for incitement of violence

(NEW YORK, N.Y., 4/13/19) - The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned what it called a life-endangering tweet from President Donald Trump using shocking imagery from the September 11, 2001 terror attack that may incite violence against Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-MN). CAIR-NY called on elected officials to use their platforms to publicly and vocally stand in support of Rep. Omar, one of the first American Muslim women elected to U.S. Congress.

 Last night, Trump tweeted: “Never Forget!” along with a video repeating one sentence from Rep. Omar’s speech at an event last month hosted by CAIR’s Los Angeles office.

Trump's tweet comes just days after news reports of death threats targeting Rep. Omar as she finishes her first 100 days in office.

SEE: CAIR: Death threats pile up against Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar | City Pages

http://www.citypages.com/news/death-threats-pile-up-against-minnesota-rep-ilhan-omar/508246461

CAIR Calls on FBI to Take Seriously Threat to ‘Assassinate’ Minn. Rep. Ilhan Omar

CAIR-LA Condemns Bomb Threats Made on Event Featuring Rep. Ilhan Omar, Thanks LAPD

CAIR-NY Welcomes Arrest of Man Threatening to Kill Rep. Ilhan Omar; Decries Increased Islamophobic Environment

In a statement, CAIR New York Litigation Director Ahmed Mohamed said:

“Islamophobia is deadly. The President knows he is endangering lives and yet continues to place a target on Rep. Omar. His use of 9/11 imagery to incite violence against Rep. Omar is unconscionable and has no place in our politics. All New Yorkers, especially our political leaders, must reject this bigotry and #StandWithIlhan.”

Mohamed called on Twitter to remove Trump’s tweet.  “Twitter has a responsibility to remove violent content from its platform that violates its guidelines. Trump’s tweet is an incitement to violence against Rep. Omar and must be taken down,” he said.  

 Mohamed also noted the full video of Rep. Omar’s speech has been available to the public for weeks.

 SEE:  Rep. Ilhan Omar Speech - 4th Annual Valley Banquet 2019 | CAIR-LA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7INpvY0J0RI

The New York-based civil rights organization has witnessed an unprecedented spike in bigotry targeting American Muslims, immigrants and members of other minority groups since the election of Donald Trump as president. CAIR-New York has repeatedly expressed concern about Islamophobic, white supremacist and racist Trump administration policies.

 In a published report, CAIR noted a 17 percent increase in bias-motivated incidents and a 15 percent increase in hate crimes against American Muslims since Trump took office.

SEE: 2018 Civil Rights Report: Targeted

http://www.islamophobia.org/reports/224-2018-civil-rights-report-targeted.html

 Muslim community members are asked to report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR-NY at (646) 665-7599, or by filing a report at: http://www.cair-ny.org/incident-report/ 

CAIR-NY is New York’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-NY 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-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher, 917-669-4006, anasher@cair.com; CAIR-NY Litigation Director Ahmed Mohamed, 646-481-2103, ahmedmohamed@cair.com.

CAIR-NY Welcomes Arrest of Man Threatening to Kill Rep. Ilhan Omar; Decries Increased Islamophobic Environment

(NEW YORK, N.Y., 4/6/19) - The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the arrest of a New York man for threatening to assault and kill Rep. Ilhan Omar, the first Somali-American Muslim Congresswoman.  CAIR-NY also decried the increased Islamophobic environment that has led to ongoing threats to Rep. Omar’s safety.

New York resident Patrick Carlineo was arrested after he placed a call to Rep. Omar’s Washington, DC, office.  During the call, Carlineo told a staff member: “Do you work for the Muslim Brotherhood? Why are your working for her, she’s a (expletive) terrorist. I’ll put a bullet in her (expletive) skull.”  Carlineo informed FBI agents that he is a “patriot,” that he loves President Trump and hates radical Muslims in government, according to the criminal complaint. 

SEE: Feds Arrest New York Man for Making Death Threats at Rep. Ilhan Omar

https://www.stargazette.com/story/news/public-safety/2019/04/05/steuben-county-man-charged-threatening-kill-congresswoman/3377625002

In a statement, CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher said:

"The political environment, led by an Islamophobe in the White House, has normalized hate speech and emboldened bigots in their actions. The rising threat of Islamophobia and white supremacy must be taken seriously. We are thankful that law enforcement tracked this individual down before he could act on his hatred for Muslims.”

Yesterday, another New York resident, white supremacist Thomas Alonzo Bolin, was arrested by the FBI after plotting New Zealand inspired terrorist attacks on Muslims in America.

SEE: CAIR-New York Welcomes Arrest of White Supremacist Who Used Facebook to Plot Attacks on Muslims; Urges Community to Remain Vigilant

https://www.cair.com/cair_new_york_welcomes_arrest_of_white_supremacist_who_used_facebook_to_plot_attacks_on_muslims_urges_community_to_remain_vigilant

CAIR-NY also cited a threat targeting a Maryland mosque, an arson attack on a California mosque, a bomb threat targeting Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, recent arrests in an alleged bomb plot targeting Muslims in New York, guilty pleas in the bombing of a Minnesota mosque, and sentencing of men in a plot to bomb Muslims in Kansas.

SEE: CAIR-San Diego Condemns Arson Attack on Escondido Mosque, Plans Interfaith Vigil

https://www.cair.com/cair_san_diego_condemns_arson_attack_on_escondido_mosque_plans_interfaith_vigil

CAIR Welcomes Stepped-Up Security After Online Threat Targeting Maryland Mosque

https://www.cair.com/cair_welcomes_stepped_up_security_after_online_threat_targeting_maryland_mosque

CAIR-LA Condemns Bomb Threats Made on Event Featuring Rep. Ilhan Omar, Thanks LAPD
https://www.cair.com/cair_la_condemns_bomb_threats_made_on_event_featuring_rep_ilhan_omar_thanks_lapd

Militia Members Get Decades in Prison in Kansas Bomb Plot

http://www.startribune.com/3-militia-members-face-sentencing-in-kansas-bomb-plot/504848242/

CAIR Asks Feds to Charge Men Accused in Bomb Plot Targeting New York Muslim Community

https://www.cair.com/breaking_cair_asks_feds_to_charge_men_accused_in_bomb_plot_targeting_new_york_muslim_community

Two Militia Men Plead Guilty to Bombing Minnesota Mosque

https://www.arabamericannews.com/2019/01/27/two-militia-men-plead-guilty-to-bombing-minnesota-mosque/

The New York-based civil rights organization has witnessed an unprecedented spike in bigotry targeting American Muslims, immigrants and members of other minority groups since the election of Donald Trump as president. CAIR-New York has repeatedly expressed concern about Islamophobic, white supremacist and racist Trump administration policies.

Muslim community members are asked to report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR-NY at (646) 665-7599, or by filing a report at: http://www.cair-ny.org/incident-report/

CAIR-NY is New York’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-NY 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-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher, 917-669-4006, anasher@cair.com; CAIR-NY Litigation Director Ahmed Mohamed, 646-481-2103, ahmedmohamed@cair.com

CAIR-New York Welcomes Arrest of White Supremacist Who Used Facebook to Plot Attacks on Muslims; Urges Community to Remain Vigilant

(NEW YORK, N.Y., 4/5/19) - The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the arrest of a white supremacist plotting a New Zealand inspired terrorist attack on Muslims. CAIR-NY also urged the Muslim community to remain vigilant. 

New York resident Thomas Alonzo Bolin, 22, was arrested for lying to the FBI about possessing a weapon. Bolin managed a white supremacist Facebook group and was reportedly plotting – along with his cousin -- a terror attack against Muslims. Bolin came under scrutiny after his cousin, Austin Witkowski, allegedly called for a re-enactment in the United States of the terror attack on two mosques in New Zealand. Witkowski reportedly sent threatening messages on the day of the New Zealand attack and “indicated that he was willing to ‘do something as of next week’ in Baltimore.”

SEE: Feds Say White Supremacist Cousins Used Facebook to Discuss Attack on Muslims 

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/white-supremacist-facebook-thomas-bolin_n_5ca63188e4b05acba4de053e

"Today's developments highlight the growing threats of white supremacy and Islamophobia in this country," said CAIR-NY Litigation Director Ahmed Mohamed. "While the FBI has identified white supremacy as a threat to society, we have a president that continues to fuel the rise of this hateful ideology."

"We are grateful that law enforcement officials disrupted this attempt to commit a terrorist attack against a Muslim community," said CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher. "White supremacy has been a violent threat to people of color and different faiths since the inception of our nation. Serious resources are needed to combat this growing threat.”

CAIR-NY cited a threat targeting a Maryland mosque, an arson attack on a California mosque, a bomb threat targeting Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, recent arrests in an alleged bomb plot targeting Muslims in New York, guilty pleas in the bombing of a Minnesota mosque, and sentencing of men in a plot to bomb Muslims in Kansas.

SEE: CAIR-San Diego Condemns Arson Attack on Escondido Mosque, Plans Interfaith Vigil

https://www.cair.com/cair_san_diego_condemns_arson_attack_on_escondido_mosque_plans_interfaith_vigil

CAIR Welcomes Stepped-Up Security After Online Threat Targeting Maryland Mosque

https://www.cair.com/cair_welcomes_stepped_up_security_after_online_threat_targeting_maryland_mosque

CAIR-LA Condemns Bomb Threats Made on Event Featuring Rep. Ilhan Omar, Thanks LAPD
https://www.cair.com/cair_la_condemns_bomb_threats_made_on_event_featuring_rep_ilhan_omar_thanks_lapd

Militia Members Get Decades in Prison in Kansas Bomb Plot

http://www.startribune.com/3-militia-members-face-sentencing-in-kansas-bomb-plot/504848242/

CAIR Asks Feds to Charge Men Accused in Bomb Plot Targeting New York Muslim Community

https://www.cair.com/breaking_cair_asks_feds_to_charge_men_accused_in_bomb_plot_targeting_new_york_muslim_community

Two Militia Men Plead Guilty to Bombing Minnesota Mosque

https://www.arabamericannews.com/2019/01/27/two-militia-men-plead-guilty-to-bombing-minnesota-mosque/

The Washington-based civil rights organization has witnessed an unprecedented spike in bigotry targeting American Muslims, immigrants and members of other minority groups since the election of Donald Trump as president. CAIR has repeatedly expressed concern about Islamophobic, white supremacist and racist Trump administration policies and appointments.

Muslim community members are asked to report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR-NY at (646) 665-7599, or by filing a report at: http://www.cair-ny.org/incident-report/

American Muslims, mosques and other Islamic institutions are being urged to take measures outlined in CAIR’s "Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety" booklet. Advice offered in CAIR’s security publication is applicable to all institutions, regardless of organizational mission.

The booklet may be viewed at: https://tinyurl.com/BestSafetyPractices

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.

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CONTACT: CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher, 917-669-4006, anasher@cair.com; CAIR-NY Litigation Director Ahmed Mohamed, 646-481-2103, ahmedmohamed@cair.com

CAIR, CAIR-NY Join Japanese Americans Incarcerated in World War II and the Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality in SCOTUS Brief Challenging Census Citizenship Question

(NEW YORK, NY, 4/2/19) -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, and its New York chapter (CAIR-NY) today announced the filing of a U.S. Supreme Court amicus (friend of the court) brief supporting the challengers in the ongoing 2020 census citizenship question litigation, Department of Commerce v. New York. 

READ THE BRIEF: http://tinyurl.com/SCOTUSCensusBrief

Other amici include the Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality at Seattle University School of Law, Norman Y. Mineta, a former Secretary of Commerce, and three other American citizens of Japanese descent whose incarceration during World War II was facilitated by the Census Bureau’s sharing of confidential census data. Akin Gump is serving as pro bono counsel for the brief.

On April 23, 2019, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments pertaining to whether the secretary of commerce’s decision to add a citizenship question violated the law. Challengers argue that the government was driven by racial and xenophobic animus and has since invented justifications for the change in policy. Judge Furman of the Southern District of New York ruled that the Department of Commerce added the citizenship question through a process that violated the Administrative Procedures Act and made several findings of fact suggesting that the government’s justifications are pretextual.

In the brief filed yesterday, amici argue that the Supreme Court should affirm Judge Furman’s ruling and reject the government’s pretextual reasons for adding a citizenship question to the decennial census. Amici emphasize that the census process works only if the public trusts that the government will not misuse the information.

Though the Census Act prohibits the government from using census information for anything other than statistical purposes, past incidents in which the government misused census data support fears that citizenship information could be misused. Amici remind the Court of one of the most glaring and heinous examples of such abuse -- the Census Bureau’s central role in targeting Japanese Americans for incarceration during World War II.

In that instance, the Supreme Court’s deference to the executive branch contributed to an appalling violation of civil and human rights. Today, amici argue, the Supreme Court must impose searching judicial scrutiny to root out any pretext for an unconstitutional census policy.

As Professor Robert S. Chang, executive director of the Korematsu Center, explains, “The shameful legacy of Japanese American incarceration during World War II shows what can happen when the courts allow themselves to be fooled by the government’s pretexts for unconstitutional policies. We urge the Court to conduct a searching review in this case to determine whether the government’s real reasons for adding a citizenship question to the census— in a process the trial judge found to be deeply flawed—support its decision or are simply a mask for a question that could deter the full participation of immigrants and communities of color.”

CAIR National Litigation and Civil Rights Director Lena F. Masri, Esq., added: “The Supreme Court should reject this administration’s latest attempt to marginalize Muslim immigrants and others from the political process.”

Ahmed Mohamed, Esq., litigation director of CAIR-NY, said: “The Court must protect the integrity of the census. This administration must not be given an opportunity to weaponize the census to suppress the voice of immigrants and minorities. We urge the court to fulfill its duty and block unlawful discrimination.”

Lead pro bono counsel Pratik A. Shah, co-head of the Supreme Court and appellate practice at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, states: “By eroding public trust in the process, the Secretary’s addition of a suspect citizenship question only undermines the government’s ability to fulfill its constitutional census duty.”

Pro bono counsel on the brief are: Robert S. Chang and Lorraine K. Bannai of the Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality at Seattle University School of Law; Ronald A. Peterson of the Law Clinic at Seattle University School of Law; as well as attorneys from Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, including Pratik A. Shah, as Counsel of Record, Robert H. Pees, Alice Hsu; Z.W. Julius Chen; and Geoffrey J. Derrick.

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 Litigation and Civil Rights Director Lena Masri, lmasri@cair.com, 202-742-6420, CAIR-NY Litigation Director Ahmed Mohamed, ahmedmohamed@cair.com; 646-481-2103; CAIR Senior Litigation Attorney Gadeir Abbas, 720-251-0425, gabbas@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com

New York Muslims and Allies to Rally Against Islamophobia and Hate Violence

Muslim groups to call for action to challenge growing Islamophobia, white supremacy, and anti-immigrant bigotry

(New York, NY, 03/22/2019) – On Sunday, March 24, 2019, Muslim leaders and allies across New York City will hold a rally and march against Islamophobia, white supremacy, and anti-immigrant bigotry in Times Square. The rally and march will showcase the solidarity of New Yorkers against the ideology of hatred most recently manifested in the New Zealand terror attacks that left 50 fatalities.

See: https://www.apnews.com/1555efa3ac2f4e24a7b781c4f2ae23a5

At the rally, there will be a call for action and unity to push back against growing Islamophobia, white supremacy and anti-immigrant bigotry in America and around the world. 

See Flyer:  http://unitedagainstislamophobia.org/

WHAT: United Against Islamophobia: March Against Racism, Bigotry and Xenophobia  

WHO: Hosted by Muslim organizations Majlis Ash-Shura: Islamic Leadership Council of New York,  Muslim American Society - New York (MAS-NY), Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), Muslim Ummah of North America (MUNA), Muslim Alliance in North America (MANA), Turkish American National Steering Committee (TASC), Arab American Federation (AAF), and the Council on American-Islamic Relations, New York (CAIR-NY).   

WHEN: Sunday, March 24, 2:30pm

WHERE: Times Square, Broadway and 47th Street. 

CONTACT: Majlis Ash-Shura Outreach Director Hossam Gamea at hossam.gamea@shuranewyork.org 917-607-8712; CAIR-NY Litigation Director Ahmed Mohamed at ahmedmohamed@cair.com or 646-481-2103 

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