(PHILADELPHIA, PA, 3/24/20) – The Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Philadelphia), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called for a hate crime probe of attacks targeting Asian-Americans.
In the wave of attacks resulting from the Coronavirus pandemic, police are reportedly investigating two separate attacks on at least two Asian-Americans in Philadelphia.
SEE: Police actively investigating potential coronavirus-fueled hate crime
In a statement, CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Director Jacob Bender said:
“We urge police to consider the possibility of a hate crime in these attacks because they follow unsettling pattern of Asian-American attacks related to the coronavirus. Asian-Americans are being targeted at disproportionately high rates because of unfair connections and accusations people are putting on them for the spread of the coronavirus.”
In past weeks, CAIR has condemned several anti-Asian coronavirus-related hate incidents.
SEE: CAIR Condemns Colorado ‘Thanks China’ Sign Featuring Possible Neo-Nazi Reference
SEE: CAIR-NY Condemns Another Anti-Asian Coronavirus-Related Hate Crime
CAIR Calls on New Mexico Officials to Repudiate Racist Vandalism Targeting Asian-American Restaurant
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-Philadelphia Executive Director Jacob Bender, 917-660-3805 (cell), 267-515-6710 (office), jbender@cair.com; CAIR-Philadelphia Outreach and Education Director Ahmet Tekelioglu, 617-401-5397 (cell); atekelioglu@cair.com
