(PHILADELPHIA, PA, 4/14/2022) – The Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Philadelphia) today welcomed the disbanding of a Delaware Co. fire company following alleged racist comments.
Darby Township’s Briarcliffe Fire Company voted to disband after several members allegedly made racial slurs about Black firefighters and community members following a Zoom meeting with other local fire companies in January. Members of Briarcliffe Fire Company also reportedly mocked an 8-year-old girl who was killed by Sharon Hill police officers last August. The company had been suspended since February in relation to the incident.
SEE: Delaware County Fire Co Disbanded After Racist Comments Surface
“An organization whose members express racist and hateful views cannot be trusted to protect the lives of diverse community members,” said CAIR-Philadelphia Outreach and Education Director Ahmet Selim Tekelioglu. “We welcome the disbanding of this fire company, and urge communities in Pennsylvania and nationwide to come together to repudiate bigotry.”
He noted that in February, CAIR-Philadelphia welcomed the suspension of the fire company.
SEE: CAIR-Philadelphia Welcomes Suspension of Fire Company After Racist Comments
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-Philadelphia Civil Rights Attorney Timothy N. Welbeck, Esq., 267-398-5640 (mobile), twelbeck@cair.com; CAIR-Philadelphia Education and Outreach Director Ahmet Selim Tekelioglu, PhD; 617-401-5397 (mobile), atekelioglu@cair.com
