CAIR Condemns Police Violence Against Protesters, Media and Bystanders Amid National Unrest

WASHINGTON, May 31, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned numerous incidents of police brutality that have occurred during nationwide protests sparked by George Floyd's murder in Minneapolis, Minn.

SEE: Police Erupt in Violence Nationwide 

SEE ALSO: Journalists Detail Being Hit By Rubber Bullets, Attacked While Covering Nationwide Protests 

NYPD Officer Rams into Crowd of George Floyd Protesters in Brooklyn

In a statement, CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell said:

"Engaging in police brutality at a protest against police brutality is a surefire way to escalate the unrest occurring on streets across our nation. The imposition of a curfew does not give any police officer free reign to gas, beat, shoot rubber bullets at, or otherwise attack protesters and journalists.

"Although we are not surprised to see that extremists and infiltrators continue to use peaceful protests as an opportunity to engage in violence, we expect and demand better from the law enforcement officers sworn to serve and protect their communities."

SEE: CAIR-NY Welcomes NY AG Investigation into NYPD Use of Force Against Protesters

https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-ny-welcomes-ny-ag-investigation-into-nypd-use-of-force-against-protesters/

[MEDIA ADVISORY: Later today, CAIR's Minnesota chapter and coalition partners will take part in a noon news conference at the State Capitol to discuss media coverage and official statements on the protests.

WHAT: Coalition News Conference on Media Coverage of Protests

WHEN: Sunday, May 31, 12 p.m.

WHERE: State Capitol, 75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard., St Paul, MN

On Monday, June 1, CAIR-Minnesota plans to take part in a rally at the Governor's Mansion to renew the demand for the arrest of all officers involved in the killing of George Floyd.

WHAT: Rally to Call for Arrest of All Officers involved in George Floyd Killing

WHEN: Monday, June 1, 4-6 p.m.

WHERE: Governor's Mansion, 1006 Summit Ave, St. Paul, MN

CONTACT: CAIR-MN Executive Director Jaylani Hussein, 612-406-0070, jhussein@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com

Coalition organizations include CAIR-Minnesota, Black Lives Matter Minnesota, Black Lives Matter Twin Cities Metro, Communities United Against Police Brutality, Cop Watch Minneapolis, Minnesota Disability Justice Network, Twin Cities Coalition for Justice for Jamal, and others.]

CAIR-Minnesota has called on prosecutors in Minnesota to end the nationwide unrest by immediately arresting and charging the three other police officers involved in the death of George Floyd.

SEE: CAIR-Minnesota Calls for Arrest of All Officers Involved in George Floyd Killing, Asks That No Bail Be Granted

https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-minnesota-calls-for-arrest-of-all-officers-involved-in-george-floyd-killing-asks-that-no-bail-be-granted/

CAIR's Oregon chapter also issued a joint statement against the curfew in Portland.

SEE: CAIR-Oregon and OJRC Joint-Statement Opposing Portland Curfew

https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-oregon-and-ojrc-joint-statement-opposing-portland-curfew/

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.

CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com

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SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)