CAIR Condemns Trump's Racist, Islamophobic 'Dog Whistle' on Migrant Caravan

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned Donald Trump's use of a racist and Islamophobic "dog whistle" to promote his "divisive political agenda" prior to the midterm elections.

In a tweet this morning, Trump claimed ? without offering evidence ? that "unknown Middle Easterners are mixed in" the migrant caravan making its way through Mexico toward the United States border. 

SEE: Trump Asserts Migrant Caravan Headed to US Includes 'Unknown Middle Easterners,' Offers No Evidence
https://abcnews.go.com/International/trump-asserts-migrant-caravan-headed-us-includes-middle/story?id=58660279

In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:

"Donald Trump will say and do anything, regardless of truth, reality or morality, to promote his divisive political agenda and to create fear of the 'other' ahead of the midterm elections. If he actually has evidence to support this racist and Islamophobic dog whistle, he should provide it to the public and explain why 'Middle Eastern' immigrants would be of particular danger to our nation. It is time for this president to be held accountable for his seemingly endless stream of lies and bigoted rhetoric."

CAIR has reported an unprecedented spike in bigotry targeting American Muslims, immigrants and members of other minority groups since the election of Donald Trump as president. The Washington-based civil rights organization has also repeatedly expressed concern about Islamophobic, white supremacist and racist Trump administration policies and appointments.

SEE: CAIR Welcomes Rejection of Trump's Islamophobic Nominee for U.N. Migration Post
https://www.cair.com/cair_welcomes_rejection_of_trump_s_islamophobic_nominee_for_u_n_migration_post
CAIR Calls for Removal of Anti-Muslim Hate Group Leader from White House National Security Council Staff
https://www.cair.com/cair_calls_for_removal_of_anti_muslim_hate_group_leader_from_white_house_national_security_council_staff

Preliminary data for 2018 indicate that there have been 927 hate incidents targeting American Muslims.

The Washington-based organization's 2018 Civil Rights Report, "Targeted," showed a 17 percent increase in bias-motivated incidents against American Muslims from 2016 to 2017, and a 15 percent increase in the number of anti-Muslim hate crimes in that same time period.

CAIR 2018 Civil Rights Report: Targeted
http://www.islamophobia.org/reports/224-2018-civil-rights-report-targeted.html

Community members are being urged to report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR's Civil Rights Department at 202-742-6420 or by going to: https://www.cair.com/report

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, 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.

CONTACT: CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)