CAIR-Cleveland & Northern Ohio

Tag: Cleveland

  • CAIR-Ohio Welcomes Chief Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela to Cleveland State University

    (CLEVELAND, OH – 5/19/2023) – The Cleveland and Northern Ohio Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) welcomed the grandson of the late Nelson Mandela, Chief Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela to Cleveland State University. Chief Mandela is an elected member of the South African National Assembly representing the African National Congress.

    SEE: Israeli forces attack worshippers in violent Al-Aqsa Mosque raid

    As part of his U.S. tour to commemorate the 75th year since Al-Nakba, the U.S. Palestinian Community Network (USPCN) and the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (NAARPR) along with the Cleveland & Northern Ohio Chapter of CAIR-Ohio, Cuyahoga Community College and the Palestinian Youth Movement arranged for Chief Mandela to speak on the connection between the apartheid struggle and Palestine, as well as the Black Liberation Movement. During his speech, Chief Mandela called for the end of imperialism and championed the cause of oppressed people everywhere.

    Al-Nakba, also known as the Palestinian Catastrophe, was the forced removable of more than 800,000 Palestinians from their indigenous land on May 15, 1948. The displacement and subsequent massacres of the Palestinian people occurred on this day, made way for Zionist occupying forces to create what is now known as the state of Israel.

    SEE: Israel attacks Gaza Strip, Al-Aqsa Mosque

    CAIR-Ohio, Cleveland & Northern Ohio Interim Executive Director Faten Odeh said, “My father was born in 1947 in Palestine. He is older than the state of Israel, so how can some say that the land of Palestine was a land without a people? This rhetoric of erasure is unacceptable. Just like the indigenous Native American population, we were there, we are still there, and we will not be erased.”

    Odeh added, “The Council on American-Islamic Relations supports peace, justice and equality for all those living in the holy land and that means for Palestinians, too.”

    The event was held in Berkman Auditorium and attracted attendees from Cincinnati, Cleveland, Youngstown and other neighboring cities.

    CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. CAIR-Ohio’s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims. CAIR-Ohio has offices in Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland.  

    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. 

    Become a Fan of the Cleveland chapter of CAIR-Ohio on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/CAIRClevelandSubscribe to the Cleveland chapter of CAIR-Ohio’s Twitter Feedhttps://twitter.com/CAIRClevelandSubscribe to the Cleveland chapter of CAIR-Ohio’s YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@cairclevelandFollow the Cleveland chapter of CAIR-Ohio on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/cairohiocleveland/Donate to the Cleveland chapter of CAIR-Ohiohttps://caircleveland.com/donate/

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    CONTACT: CAIR-Ohio, Cleveland & Northern Ohio Interim Executive Director Faten Odeh, fodeh@cair.com, 216-830-2247

  • Film Screening: Dispatches from Cleveland

    Film Screening: Dispatches from Cleveland

    DISPATCHES FROM CLEVELAND

    If You Wake Up You’ll Be Powerful

    Screening at the Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival

    Saturday, September 23, 2017

    4:00 pm – 5:15 pm

    Post Screening Panel w/Samaria Rice, Jerry Pena, Fred Ward, Terrence Spivey, Sloan Cargill

    Free Community Screening

    Tickets available at Shaker Square Cinemas Box Office

    (the day of the show only)

    Limited availability

    First come first served

     

  • CAIR: Northeast Ohio Muslim Voters to Hold Presidential Debate Watch Party at the Muslim Association of Cleveland East

    CAIR: Northeast Ohio Muslim Voters to Hold Presidential Debate Watch Party at the Muslim Association of Cleveland East

    (CLEVELAND, OHIO, 10/4/16) – On Sunday, October 9, the Cleveland chapter of the American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Cleveland) and the Muslim Association of Cleveland East (MACE Mosque) will co-host a Muslim voter watch party during the second presidential debate.

    (more…)

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

    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.

    (more…)

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

    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…)

  • CAIR-OHIO JOINS PEACE AND NON-VIOLENCE CYBERWALL KICK-OFF EVENT

    CAIR-OHIO JOINS PEACE AND NON-VIOLENCE CYBERWALL KICK-OFF EVENT

    Dozens of groups pledge to help make Cleveland a City of Peace and Non-Violence

    (CLEVELAND, OH, 10/4/2010) – On October 2, 2010, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Cleveland Chapter joined with more than 20 local social service and peace and justice organizations in a kick-off event to designate Cleveland as a City of Peace and Non-Violence.

    The event coincided with the observance of the 141st birthday of Mahatma Gandhi and also commemorated the life of civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The kick-off was hosted by the Federation of India Community Associations.

    The kick-off brought together a diverse group of speakers to help launch a city-wide non-violence pledge and a cyber wall of signatures of those vowing to promote peace and justice in the City of Cleveland. The Rev. Marvin McMickle of Antioch Baptist Church gave the opening address.

    “We offer our full support to this visionary initiative for peace.” said Julia A. Shearson, executive director of CAIR-Cleveland. “The cyber wall for peace is a great idea because it teaches that every person must join together to build a truly peaceful city.

    To sign the pledge, go to: http://www.clevelandpeople.com/other/pledgethx.htm

    Organizations joining the cyber wall kick-off event included: The ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County; American Indian Education Center; Black on Black Crime; Catholic Community Connection; Cleveland Peace and Non-Violence Network, ClevelandPeople.com; Cleveland Rape Crisis Center; Cleveland UMADAOP; Commission on Catholic Community Action; Council on American-Islamic Relations; Federation of India Community Associations; India Cultural Garden; InterAct; International Community Council; Peace in the Hood; and others.

    For more information, contact CAIR-Cleveland Executive Director Julia A. Shearson, jshearson@cair.com, 216-830-2247 or 216-440-2247.

    CAIR, America’s largest Islamic civil liberties and advocacy group has 35 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

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