(COLUMBUS, GA - 8/2/19) – The Georgia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Georgia) today joined Masjid Al Jannah and the Muslim community of Columbus, Ga., in condemning an act of anti-Semitic bigotry targeting a local synagogue.

According to the Columbus Police Department, two unidentified men wearing red baseball caps plastered eight signs promoting "PatriotFront.U.S." on Temple Israel’s property on July 29, 2019. Among other things, the signs said "reclaim America" and "better dead than red."

(ATLANTA, GA - 7/24/2019) -- The Georgia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Georgia) today warned mosques across the state that anti-Muslim hate groups have launched a campaign to enter, spy on, and endanger Islamic houses of worship in Georgia, starting with three mosques in Savannah.

On June 28, 2019, the Islamic Center of Savannah hosted a community event guarded by the Savannah Police Department. During the event, members of the hate groups Sharia Crime Stoppers and The United West entered the mosque, introduced themselves to congregants using false identities, and claimed to be either “Muslim” or interested in learning about their Muslim neighbors.

(ATLANTA, GA - 7/19/2019) - The Georgia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today applauded civil rights legend and Congressman John Lewis for joining Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib in the introduction of House Resolution 496, which reaffirms every American's constitutional right to engage in political boycotts.

 "We thank Congressman John Lewis for reaffirming every American's constitutional right to protest injustice by engaging in boycotts, whether against businesses, organizations, or foreign governments," said Edward Ahmed Mitchell, executive director of CAIR-Georgia.

 H.R. 496 also charts the history of successful and constitutionally protected boycott movements in the United States, from the Boston Tea Party to the Civil Rights Movement to boycotts in opposition to apartheid in South Africa.

(ATLANTA, GA - 7/17/2019) - The Georgia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Georgia) today welcomed news that Rick Painter, a racist who attacked a Muslim woman last year, pleaded guilty to felony false imprisonment and misdemeanor battery just hours before he was scheduled to face trial. 

Painter was first arrested by the Atlanta Police Department on May 5, 2018. When Ms. King delivered food to his home for DoorDash, Painter declared "I am Jesus," grabbed Ms. King's hijab and niqab, and wrestled her to the ground, where he attempted to strangle her with her own clothing. 

[NOTE: Hijab is the religious hair scarf used by Muslim women to cover their hair, while a niqab is a face that some women wear].

Ms. King, who is 4'11 tall, used her keyring and cell phone to successfully fight off Painter, who is 6'3 and weighed 200 pounds at the time of the incident. She then escaped and contacted the police department, which arrested Painter.