(PHILADELPHIA, PA, 3/3/19) – The Philadelphia and Pittsburgh chapters of the Council on American-Islamic Relations-Pennsylvania (CAIR-Pennsylvania) today called for the resignation of a local school board member who shared anti-Muslim posts on Facebook and Twitter.
The official, Frank Scavo, is the president of Old Forge School Board in Lackawanna County, as well as a Republican candidate for state representative. In the posts, Mr. Scavo portrayed Muslims as terrorists, pedophiles or rapists on his personal Facebook and Twitter accounts during the last four years.
SEE: Republican state House candidate shared Clinton conspiracy theory on Facebook
“A school board president should prioritize equity and equality of all students. It is unacceptable for someone with such bigoted to chair a policy-making position impacting a diverse student population,” said CAIR-Philadelphia Education and Outreach Director Dr. Ahmet Selim Tekelioglu.
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
Earlier this year, CAIR-Pittsburgh called on state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate a possible bias motive for an attack on a Muslim student high school who wears an Islamic head scarf, or hijab.
SEE: CAIR-Pittsburgh Calls for Hate Crime Probe of Attack on Muslim Student
The Washington-based Muslim civil rights organization has reported an unprecedented spike in bigotry targeting American Muslims, immigrants and members of other minority groups since the election of Donald Trump as president.
CAIR 2018 Civil Rights Report: Targeted
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 Education and Outreach Director Ahmet Selim Tekelioglu; 617-401-5397, atekelioglu@cair.com; CAIR-Pittsburgh Program Director Zohra Lasania, 412-606-3601, zlasania@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com.
