Protecting Civil Rights. Fighting Bigotry. Promoting Tolerance.
(CLEVELAND, OH, 5/13/16) – The Cleveland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations today offered its sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of attorney and human rights leader Michael Ratner upon his passing. He died on Wednesday May 10, at the age of 72 from complications due to cancer.
(CLEVELAND, OH, 5/5/16) – On Sunday May 8, the Cleveland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Cleveland) will hold its 14th Annual Civil Rights Banquet, with the theme “Strengthening Our Voices: Advancing Together,” at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Independence.
(Cleveland, OH, 4/19/16) – On Saturday, April 16, the Cleveland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) joined the Inclusivity Ministry of the West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church in Rocky River, Ohio in hosting a presentation and panel discussion on Women in Islam.
The event, which was attended by more than 70 people, was designed to help dispel stereotypes about Muslim women. The opening presentation provided a brief overview of women’s political, economic, and educational rights as well as an exploration of Quranic texts on the equality of women in Islam. The panel session covered hot button subjects such as modern gender roles, domestic violence, patriarchy and human rights in the Muslim world. Panel participants included seven Muslim women from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds and age groups in order to provide a range of perspectives. Read More
(CLEVELAND, OH, 3/22/2016) – The Cleveland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations joined more than 20 civil and human rights groups at a joint press conference yesterday in front of Cleveland City Hall to address what they assert are significant potential problems regarding plans for the procurement of equipment and deployment of personnel from the Cleveland Division of Police at the upcoming Republican National Convention (RNC) in Cleveland July 18-21.
The groups issued an open letter to the Mayor and City Council calling on Cleveland City Council to pass a de-militarization resolution, committing the Cleveland Division of Police (CDP) to de-commission any purchased military-type equipment after the RNC.
(CLEVELAND, OH, 3/1/2016) – More than 100 people gathered last night in an interfaith event to discuss the growth of Islamophobia in America. The event, called “Teatime for Peace,” was held at the West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church and was co-hosted by the Cleveland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Cleveland) and area social justice groups.
The goal of the event was to provide an opportunity for people of different faiths to engage in dialogue and get to know each other as a way to help dispel stereotypes about Muslims and Islam. The event was conceived to help challenge the rampant Islamophobia being promoted by anti-Muslim hate groups, agenda-driven media outlets and political figures during the current US presidential election cycle.
(CLEVELAND, OH, 2/11/2016) – The Cleveland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Cleveland) recently presented a forum on Islamophobia to members of the local chapter of SURJ (Showing Up for Racial Justice) at the West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church in Rocky River, Ohio. SURJ is a national network of groups and individuals organizing for racial justice.
The forum focused on the historical roots of Islamophobia, its current causes and consequences and how groups like SURJ could help to counter anti-Muslim bias and hate. The forum also highlighted the anti-Muslim bigotry and hateful rhetoric that has permeated the current U.S. presidential campaign.
(CLEVELAND, OHIO, 12/29/15) – The Cleveland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Ohio (CAIR-OH) today expressed disappointment at the decision of a grand jury to not indict a white Cleveland police officer in the fatal shooting of Tamir Rice, a 12 year old African-American child.
The case began when a caller to 911 said a male who was “probably a juvenile” was pointing a gun that was “probably fake” at people in a Cleveland park. A Cleveland police officer opened fire, unprovoked, at Rice within seconds of arriving at the park. Rice died a day later from the gun wound. Rice had a toy gun tucked under his shirt that was not visible when shot by officers.
“Along with other Ohioans, we are dismayed by the fact that the investigation took over 13 months. We are also alarmed by the conduct of the prosecutor which may have tainted the outcome of the grand jury,” said CAIR-Cleveland Director Julia Shearson. “This and other similar cases nationwide, point to the urgent need for reforms in police procedures, training, and the grand jury process.” Read More
(CLEVELAND, OH, 11/24/15) – A coalition of more than 50 faith and civic leaders today released an open letter to Ohio Governor John Kasich asking him to reconsider his stance against Syrian refugees being resettled in Ohio.
The coalition, which includes Muslim, Christian, Jewish, and other interfaith and civic leaders, issued their open letter in response to a recent statement by Ohio Governor John Kasich calling for a halt to the resettlement of Syrian refugees.
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/24/15) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on state and federal law enforcement authorities to consider bringing hate crime charges against a man arrested after allegedly threatening Muslim worshipers this morning at an prayer service in Ohio.
According to police, a man threatened worshipers gathered for the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha at the Islamic Center of Cleveland in Parma, Ohio. The man reportedly called the worshipers “terrorists” and reached for something in his car. Police later discovered he had a hatchet under his car seat. The suspect is in custody and is expected to appear in court on Friday.
(CLEVELAND, OH, 8/28/15) – The Cleveland branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Collaborative for a Safe, Fair and Just Cleveland, and the Cleveland chapter of the National Lawyers Guild today released an open letter outlining issues that must be resolved to better ensure that the Community Police Commission may operate more effectively and inclusively once established.
[NOTE: The Cleveland chapter of the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Cleveland) is a founding member of the Collaborative for a Safe, Fair and Just Cleveland.]