CAIR Decries Appointment of Islamophobe, White Nationalist Bannon as Top Trump Strategist

WASHINGTON, Nov. 13, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, tonight decried the appointment of anti-Muslim conspiracy theorist and White nationalist "alt-right" extremist Stephen Bannon as chief strategist and senior counselor to President-elect Donald Trump.

Bannon, formerly head of alt-right mouthpiece "Breitbart News," promoted conspiracy theories that "paint a dark and paranoid picture" of American Muslims. Breitbart News traffics in misogynistic and racist stories targeting women, people of color and immigrants.

A White Nationalist Is the New White House Chief Strategist
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/steve-bannon-chief-strategist_us_5828e1d4e4b0c4b63b0d33d7
Trump Campaign CEO Was a Big Promoter of Anti-Muslim Extremists
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/09/stephen-bannon-donald-trump-muslims-fear-loathing

According to CAIR's Islamophobia Monitor website, Bannon also hosted a daily radio show in which many of his guests "instigated fear and loathing of Muslims in America" and promoted "racist, anti-immigrant, and anti-Muslim content."

"The appointment of Stephen Bannon as a top Trump administration strategist sends the disturbing message that anti-Muslim conspiracy theories and White nationalist ideology will be welcome in the White House," said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. "We urge President-elect Trump to reconsider this ill-advised appointment if he truly seeks to unite Americans."

Awad added that Bannon's appointment adds fuel to the growing fire of racial and ethnic hatred and division in America.

CAIR recently updated its site with information about the extremist anti-Muslim views of a number of potential Trump administration appointees, including Bannon.

CAIR Islamophobia Monitor: Islamophobia and the Potential Trump Team
http://www.islamophobia.org/15-reports/181-islamophobia-and-the-trump-transition-team.html

The Washington-based Muslim civil rights group is monitoring a troubling spike in anti-Muslim and racist incidents since last Tuesday's election.

CAIR: Trump's Election Leaves American Muslims Reeling and Scared (AP)
https://www.abqjournal.com/888211/trumps-election-leaves-american-muslims-reeling-and-scared.html
Over 200 Reports of Hateful Harassment and Intimidation Post-Election
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/200-reports-hateful-harassment-intimidation-post-election-splc/story?id=43491050

CAIR: An Incomplete List of Racist Incidents Since Donald Trump Was Elected President
http://tinyurl.com/jjnzqhy

Muslim community members who believe their rights have been violated are being asked to contact local police and CAIR's Civil Rights Department at 202-742-6420 or by filing a report at: http://www.cair.com/civil-rights/report-an-incident/view/form.html

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 mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.

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CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)