| (HOUSTON, TX, 4/9/2020) – The Houston chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Houston), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned a racist rant targeting Vietnamese restaurant owner in Houston, Texas. Recently, in the West University area in Houston, an Asian couple of Vietnamese descent were reportedly verbally harassed outside a Kroger parking lot while they were working on their restaurant. The perpetrator allegedly saw the couple and began yelling “get out of our country. You, get out of the United States.” SEE: Woman unleashes racist rant directed at Vietnamese restaurant owner https://abc13.com/racist-rant-houston-texas-on-video-shopper-racism/6088094/ FBI warns of potential surge in hate crimes against Asian Americans amid coronavirus https://abcnews.go.com/US/fbi-warns-potential-surge-hate-crimes-asian-americans/story?id=69831920 In a statement, CAIR-Houston Executive Director Lubabah Abdullah, Esq. said: “The rise of anti-Asian attacks is alarming, and we are afraid that it will only get worse as COVID-19 spreads. We must continue to stand in solidarity with the Asian-American community in Texas and nationwide by denouncing racism and assaults. CAIR-Houston continues to urge Texans to follow public health guidelines instead of succumbing to irrational and xenophobic actions.” She encouraged anyone who is a victim of hate and discrimination to report it immediately to the authorities and to contact CAIR-Houston for support at 713-838-2247 or at our website: https://cairhouston.com/get-help-now/ CAIR urges Asian-American communities to exercise safety and caution amid the rise in hate crime attacks during the COVID-19 crisis. According to recent findings and intelligence reports compiled by the FBI’s Houston office, “incidents against Asian Americans likely will surge across the United States, due to the spread of coronavirus disease … endangering Asian American communities” In past weeks, CAIR has condemned several coronavirus related hate incidents. SEE: CAIR-Houston Seeks Hate Crimes Charges for Attack Targeting Asian Family https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-houston-seeks-hate-crimes-charges-for-attack-targeting-asian-family/ CAIR-NY Condemns Acid Attack Targeting Asian-American Woman; Calls for Hate Crime Probe https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-ny-condemns-acid-attack-targeting-asian-american-woman-calls-for-hate-crime-probe/ CAIR Condemns Racist Harassment of Asian-American Doctor in Indiana https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-condemns-racist-harassment-of-asian-american-doctor-in-indiana/ CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims. La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos. END CONTACT: CAIR-Houston Executive Director Lubabah Abdullah, labdullah@cair.com , 713-838-2247; CAIR-Houston Communications and Program Coordinator Ambreen Hernandez ahernandez@cair.com , 973-495-0976 |
