The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, last week welcomed removal of a Confederate monument from a main street in Grenada, Miss.
That monument had been covered with tarps several years ago after the murder of George Floyd.
“We welcome the removal of one more remnant of the racist and white supremacist legacy of the Confederacy and we hope cities nationwide similarly remove any official government monuments that praise those who fought to defend the racist system of slavery,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.
He noted that earlier this year, CAIR condemned the celebration as an official state holiday in Mississippi of Confederate Memorial Day, honoring the racist and white supremacist legacy of the Confederacy. CAIR also supported an effort to remove a Confederate painting from the Mississippi capitol building.
Last year, CAIR reiterated its condemnation of Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves’ decision to sign a proclamation naming April as Confederate Heritage Month. CAIR similarly condemned the declaration in past years.
Also that year, CAIR condemned a call by a lawmaker in Mississippi to restore that state’s Confederate-themed flag.
Hooper said Washington, D.C., based CAIR has repeatedly called for the removal of Confederate names, holidays, flags, statues, and symbols nationwide.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
