(ST. LOUIS, MO, 5/17/2018) – The Missouri chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Missouri), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization, today called for the resignation of O’Fallon School District 90 School Board Member Steve Springer over Islamophobic comments made about Muslim children.
Two emails show Springer questioning policy on how to address accommodating a transgender student. In one email, Springer wrote: "Next up?? Yes, next will be a place for Mohamed to wash his little feet and face Mecca three times during the school day.”
SEE: Emails fuel call for resignation of O’Fallon school board member ‘branded as racist’
The controversy started after Springer challenged the O’Fallon Public Library selection of a children book, “Justice Makes a Difference: The Story of Miss Freedom Fighter,” which he said was inappropriate. A freedom of information request revealed the emails.
“Anyone who targets children with this type of derogatory language is unfit to serve on any school board,” said CAIR-Missouri Executive Director Faizan Syed. “Mr. Springer should resign immediately.”
ACTION ALERT: CAIR-Missouri is calling on community members to contact School Board President John Wagnon at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to express their concerns about Springer’s comments.
Earlier this year, a self-described Confederate posted anti-Islam pictures on Twitter at the Parkway School District.
SEE: ‘Confederate’ Jeanie Ames Explains Anti-Islam Tweet at Muslim Hosted Forum
CAIR’s California chapter released a report documenting bias-based bullying of American Muslim students in that state’s schools. The report revealed that almost half of Muslim students say they had been subjected to some form of bias-based bullying.
SEE: Growing in Faith
CAIR-LA Releases Report on Bullying of Muslim Students (Video)
CAIR has witnessed an unprecedented spike in bigotry targeting American Muslims and members of other minority groups since the election of Donald Trump as president.
The Washington-based organization’s recently-released 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.
New CAIR Report: Trump's Muslim Bans Increased Anti-Muslim Discrimination, Violence
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 filing a report at: http://www.cair.com/report
CAIR launched an app to share critical “know your rights” information and to simplify the process to report hate crimes and bias incidents. CAIR is urging American Muslims and members of other minority groups to download the app and utilize this resource to stay informed and empowered.
For a quick download of CAIR’s civil rights app, click here: http://www.cair. com/app
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.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Missouri Executive Director Faizan Syed, 314-403-3626, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
