(SACRAMENTO, CA, 02/12/2020) – The Sacramento Valley office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SV) today condemned racist vandalism found on a visiting coach’s vehicle that was parked at Colfax High School.
Bear River High School basketball coach Ralph Lewis reportedly returned to his car after a game against Colfax High School, which Bear River won, to find the “n-word” scrawled on the window.
READ: Racist Word Written On Visiting Basketball Coach Ralph Lewis’ Car At Colfax High School (CBS 13)
Colfax High Principal Paul Lundberg said in an email sent to parents Friday night, “The coach happens to be African-American and a long-time contributor in our community working with youth for many years.”
In a statement, CAIR-Sacramento Valley (CAIR-SV) Executive Director Basim Elkarra said:
“We condemn this racist vandalism. It is disturbing that Bear River coach Ralph Lewis was subjected to this act of hatred after a high school basketball game and during Black History Month, a time devoted to celebrating the accomplishments and contributions of African-Americans. It underscores how far we have to go to combat bigotry, along with the importance of making ethnic studies a requirement for high school graduation and the need to uplift marginalized voices. As a community, we must call out and stand up to racism and bigotry in all forms.”
Elkarra urged community members to report any bias incidents to law enforcement and to CAIR-SV/CC’s Civil Rights Department at 916-441-6269 or by filing a report online.
CAIR-SV is an office of CAIR, 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.
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CONTACT: CAIR-SV/CC Communications Manager Kalin Kipling-Mojaddedi, 916-441-6269 or kkipling@cair.com
