(CLEVELAND, OH, 12/12/2025) — The Cleveland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Cleveland), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed an apology for a racist anti-Arab post by Youngstown Council President Anita Davis.

In that post congratulating a police officer on his retirement, Davis said: “We all thought he was an Arab terrorist.” She later apologized for the post.

In a statement, CAIR-Cleveland & Northern Ohio Executive Director Faten Odeh said:

“Offensive comments like these are not jokes. They reflect and reinforce dangerous stereotypes that have real consequences for Arab, Muslim, and other marginalized communities. Elected officials have a responsibility to uphold the dignity of the people they serve, not demonize them with racist remarks. We welcome the apology, but call on the Youngstown City Council to take this matter seriously and to ensure that meaningful steps are taken to prevent this kind of dehumanizing rhetoric in the future.”

She said CAIR and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging antisemitism, systemic anti-Black racism, xenophobia, anti-Muslim hate, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.

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-Cleveland & Northern Ohio Executive Director, Faten Odeh (216) 830-2247, fodeh@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com