MEDIA ADVISORY
(SACRAMENTO, 6/26/18) — The Council on American-Islamic Relations, Sacramento Valley chapter, (CAIR-SV), held a press conference today at 11:15 a.m in reaction to the Supreme Court’s decision to allow Muslim Ban 3.0 to remain in effect.
In a 5-4 vote, the Supreme Court reversed a lower court’s injunction that had – until December 2017 – prevented the Trump Administration from using Muslim Ban 3.0 as a basis for denying visas to foreign nationals from eight affected countries.
“Rather than reinforcing the notion that America welcomes people regardless of where they were born, what they look like and how they pray, the Supreme Court instead upheld a ban driven by anti-Muslim sentiment that devalues equality,” said CAIR-SV Executive Director Basim Elkarra. “This ruling sets a dangerous precedent and is extremely disappointing. By banning people of certain nationalities based on religious beliefs, the United States betrays its core values. Imagine where this could lead in the future.
“The Supreme Court has been wrong on major decisions before and the Roberts court join that sad legacy today.” Elkarra pointed to the Dred Scott and Korematsu decisions as examples.
“We will continue to fight for Muslim families and communities, to pursue legal avenues on behalf of impacted people and to demand that legislators take action to end the Muslim Ban,” Elkarra continued.
“Most importantly, we will continue organizing, mobilizing and defending Muslim communities from bigoted policies-whether they are endorsed by the Supreme Court or not.”
The speakers, in order of appearance, were as follows:
- CAIR-SV Executive Director Basim Elkarra
- Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg
- ACLU Staff Attorney Abre’ Conner
- School Board Member for Elk Grove Unified School District Bobbie Singh-Allen
- Co-President of the Florin Chapter – Sacramento Valley (Florin JACL-SV) of the Japanese American Citizens League Joshua Kaizuka
CAIR is 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 Sacramento Valley Communication Manager Kalin Kipling, kkipling@cair.com, 916-441-6269
