CAIR-NJ, coalition partners to join Palestinian Americans in New Jersey Who Lost 1,000+ Family Members in Israel’s War on Gaza

MEDIA ADVISORY 

CAIR-NJ, coalition partners to join Palestinian Americans in New Jersey Who Lost 1,000+ Family Members in Israel’s War on Gaza

(NEWARK, NJ, 12/18/2023) – On Tuesday, Dec. 19, the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the Islamic Center of Passaic County (ICPC), the Palestinian American Community Center (PACC), and the New Jersey chapter of the American Muslims for Palestine will join Palestinian American families in New Jersey who lost more than 1,000 family members in Israel’s war on Gaza.

Families will share harrowing stories of their family members’ last moments in Gaza.

WHERE: CAIR-NJ Office, 570 Broad Street, Suite 703, Newark, NJ 07102

WHEN: Tuesday, December 19, 11a.m.

CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Dina Sayedahmed, dsayedahmed@cair.com, 551-221-5592

RECORDING AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

The news of New Jerseyans losing family members in Gaza comes as Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill distributed a letter to universities calling on them to condemn antisemitism. In her letter, the congresswoman conflates pro-Palestine activism with antisemitism, thereby putting students at direct risk. Advocacy groups have demonstrated outside her office in Parsippany, New Jersey.

SEE: Sherrill Calls on New Jersey Institutions of Higher Education to Combat Antisemitism on Campus

Like Sherill, Congressman Josh Gottheimer has used his social media platforms to regularly condemn pro-Palestine activism on college campuses. When the Students for Justice in Palestine group was suspended at Rutgers University, the congressman accused students of “hate, intolerance, and attacks.”

SEE: Gottheimer calls on Rutgers University to protect students and remove antisemitic, anti-Israel speakers from Dec. 7 event

At the same time, anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian bigotry have been on a steep rise in New Jersey.

CAIR-NJ has recorded nearly 200 cases of bias incidents, employment termination, and academic disciplinary proceedings related to Israel’s war on Gaza.

On the national level, CAIR has documented over 2,000 complaints over a two-month period.

SEE: CAIR Received ‘Staggering’ 2,171 Complaints Over Past Two Months as Islamophobia, Anti-Palestinian Hate ‘Spin Out of Control’

CAIR-NJ continues to stand in unwavering solidarity with Palestinians and their right to freedom.

CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.

END