(ATLANTA, GA – 11/17/16) The Georgia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations today thanked Rep. Jason Spencer for withdrawing House Bill 3, a proposal that would have made it illegal for Georgia Muslim women to wear religious face veils in public.“We thank Rep. Spencer for withdrawing House Bill 3,” said Edward Ahmed Mitchell, executive director of CAIR-GA. “Although the controversy over this legislation has come to a swift and welcome end, we hope to meet with Rep. Spencer in an effort to dialogue, build bridges, and personally thank him for doing the right thing.”
See Video: CAIR-GA Counters Proposed Anti-Islam Bill
CAIR-GA also thanked its coalition partners, including Dr. Francys Johnson, executive director of the Georgia NAACP; Aisha Yaqoob, executive director of the Georgia Muslim Voter Project; Stephanie Cho, executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice; and Azadeh Shahshahani, Legal Aid & Advocacy Director of Project South, for their support.
The five groups co-signed a letter to Rep. Spencer on Nov. 17th, before the withdrawal of the bill, to request a meeting at which the coalition planned to share their concerns and listen to the legislator’s perspective.
“American Muslims may face similar challenges over the next four years, but we intend to keep proudly practicing our faith, building bridges with our neighbors, and defending our rights by any legal means necessary,” Mitchell said.
CONTACT: Edward Ahmed Mitchell; 404-285-9530; [email protected]