CAIR-NJ Calls for Resignation of Another State Official Over Islamophobic, Racist and Xenophobic Tweets
CAIR-NJ Calls for Resignation of Another State Official Over Islamophobic, Racist and Xenophobic Tweets
Second time this week that Muslim civil rights group challenges Islamophobia expressed by state officials
(SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ, 7/24/2019) — The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) today called for the resignation of another Islamophobic state official — Sussex County Republican chairman Jerry Scanlan — who allowed the party’s Twitter page to be used for racist, anti-Muslim and xenophobic tweets.
Scanlan, the county party chair since 2015, also serves as the vice chairman of Sussex County Community College, whose trustees on Tuesday said they would review the voluminous social media commentaries after four audience members raised objections during their 5 p.m. meeting.
One of the shared memes, from July 19, described four freshman Democratic congresswomen of color as the “Wh***s of Babble-on.” One retweet shows the 9/11 attack in New York and asks, “How did we go from this to being afraid of offending Muslims.”
SEE: ‘Racist, Islamophobic and xenophobic’ tweets shared by county GOP
“While we can be certain that these tweets are not reflective of the values of the Sussex County Community College, we sincerely hope that this kind of bias-motivated mocking and intimidation is not reflective of the New Jersey Republican Party,” said CAIR-NJ Executive Director James Sues. “If indeed it is not, Jerry Scanlan should be removed from his position as the county’s GOP chairman. New Jersey epitomizes a welcoming spirit of inclusivity that we are all proud of. Nobody wants to be dragged back to the dark ages of racism and bigotry that are characterized by these posts.”
Sues noted that this is second time in two days that the Muslim civil rights group has challenged anti-Muslim hate by state officials. Just yesterday CAIR-NJ called for the resignation of Toms River Board of Education member Dan Leonard for anti-Muslim and racist Facebook posts.
SEE: CAIR-NJ Calls for Resignation of Board of Education Member Who Shared Anti-Muslim, Racist Posts
The Washington-based civil rights organization 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.
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.
