Media Advisory
CAIR-Missouri Calls for Resignation of Illinois College Board Chairman Over Islamophobic, Racist and Anti-Immigrant Posts
(ST. LOUIS, MO, 5/9/2019) – The Missouri chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Missouri), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on a leader of an Illinois community college located near St. Louis, Mo., to resign over a series of Islamophobic, racist and anti-immigrant messages he posted online.
One post by Lewis & Clark Community College Board of Trustees Chairman David Heyen refers to Muslim Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-MN) as a “snake you are allowing in the Country.” Another post decries the fact that the three Muslim members of Congress may have access to classified documents, and another promotes the false and Islamophobic claim that there is no terrorism in Iceland and Japan because there are no Muslims in those countries. [NOTE: Both Iceland and Japan have Muslim populations.]
In other posts, “unvaccinated illegal alien kids in the public schools” are blamed for spreading diseases such as mumps, measles and small pox, and the “Democratic Party” is accused of “shaming White people.”
VIEW THE POSTS: https://tinyurl.com/BigotedPosts
The social media posts were sent to CAIR-Missouri by concerned members of the community.
“Anyone who shares such anti-Muslim, racist and anti-immigrant views has no business serving in a leadership position for any educational institution. Chairman Heyen should resign from his post,” said CAIR-Missouri Executive Director Faizan Syed. “We urge Lewis & Clark Community College to thoroughly investigate this matter and ensure that the college remains a welcoming place for all of its students.”
Earlier this week, CAIR released a groundbreaking report, called “Hijacked by Hate: American Philanthropy and the Islamophobia Network,”listing the philanthropic foundations, many of them mainstream, that were used by anonymous special interest donors to funnel almost $125 million to anti-Muslim hate groups between 2014 and 2016.
The report’s authors noted that one outcome of the funding and promotion of anti-Muslim hate and conspiracy theories has been the measurable nationwide increase in anti-Muslim hate violence, bullying of children and discrimination. The period covered by the report showed a marked increase in anti-Muslim hate violence and discrimination.
New CAIR Report: Anonymous Donors Use Mainstream Philanthropic Groups to Funnel Millions to Anti-Muslim Hate Groups
CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. 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.
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.
END
CONTACT: CAIR-Missouri Executive Director Faizan Syed, 314-330-2946, E-Mail: 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.