Category: News

CAIR-Cleveland Joins Press Conference on Purchase of Riot Gear for RNC

(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.

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March 22, 2016
CAIR-Cleveland Co-Hosts ‘Teatime for Peace’ to Challenge Islamophobia, Build Interfaith Relations

(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.

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March 1, 2016
CAIR-Ohio Joins Racial Justice Group to Present Forum on Islamophobia

(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.

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February 11, 2016
CAIR-Cleveland ‘Disappointed’ at Grand Jury Decision to Not Indict Officer Who Fatally Shot 12-year-Old Tamir Rice

(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.” (more…)

December 29, 2015
CAIR: Faith and Civic Leaders Release Open Letter Asking Ohio Governor to Reverse Stance on Refugees

(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.

Read the full letter (more…)

November 24, 2015
CAIR Seeks Hate Crime Charges for Threats to Ohio Muslims on Islamic Holiday

(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.

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September 24, 2015
CAIR-Cleveland Joins Civil Rights Groups in Release of Open Letter on Community Police Commission

(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.]

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August 28, 2015
CAIR-Cleveland Offers Condolences on Passing of Former U.S. Rep. Louis Stokes

(CLEVELAND, OH, 8/19/15) – The Cleveland Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Cleveland) today offered condolences on the passing of former Congressman Louis Stokes, who died Tuesday evening at age 90.

SEE: Longtime Ohio Congressman Louis Stokes Dies at 90

Lou Stokes Through the Years: A Timeline

Lou Stokes: His Political Mastery Rested on Decency and Gentle Wit that Sustained Him Till the End

http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/08/lou_stokes_a_reluctant_politic.html

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August 19, 2015
Video: Cleveland 8 Reject Abuse of Grand Jury in Case of Tamir Rice Shooting by Cleveland Police

(CLEVELAND, OH, 7/8/2015) – Today The Cleveland 8, a group of clergy and community activists, released a video and open letter criticizing the abuse of the grand jury process in the Tamir Rice shooting by Cleveland Police.

The open letter condemns the disregard by municipal and county prosecutors of Cleveland Municipal Court Judge Ronald Adrine’s June 11 ruling of probable cause in the death of Tamir Rice. The group states that prosecutors are exhibiting an egregious disregard for the criminal justice process by failing to take appropriate action on the probable cause ruling.

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July 8, 2015
CAIR-Cleveland Seeks Probe of Police Officer’s Racist, Anti-Muslim Re-Tweets

(CLEVELAND, OH, 7/1/2015) — The Cleveland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Cleveland) today called on the city’s Division of Police (CDP) to investigate whether a recently-promoted officer violated department policies by re-tweeting racist, anti-Muslim, anti-Obama, and pro-Confederate flag materials on Twitter.

Officer Frank Woyma, who was recently promoted from patrol officer to sergeant, has re-tweeted images of a Quran being flushed down a toilet and of President Obama’s campaign logo with the headline “This is a symbol of racism, I would like it removed from my country.” One re-tweet, with an image of a Crusader knight, is headlined: “I will turn back the Muslim hordes,” with the note “Join our fight to save America.”

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July 1, 2015