CAIR-MI Files EEO Complaint on Behalf of Albanian-American Muslim CBP Officer

Muslim officer allegedly charged, harassed, threatened, and denied promotion for refusing to become informant

The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) today announced that it has filed an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) complaint against U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on behalf of an Albanian-American Muslim CBP officer.



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


CAIR-AL Calls for Probe of Alabama Police Chief's 'Bacon Grease' Bullets Facebook Posts


(BIRMINGHAM, AL, 10/7/16) 
- The Alabama chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Alabama) is calling for an independent investigation of Facebook posts by a police chief in that state referring to "bacon grease covered bullets," a theme often used by anti-Muslim bigots because they falsely believe Muslims cannot enter heaven if they are shot by such ammunition.

On September 23, Barry Pendergraft, chief of police at the Gurley Police Department in the Town of Gurley, AL., posted a photograph on his personal Facebook account of a box of ammunition with the text: "100 more bacon grease covered bullets in the box! This relaxes me so!!" On September 27, he posted a video of ammunition loading with the text: "Happiness is a couple thousand rounds in the ammo box! Bacon grease dipped of course!!"

Barry Pendergraft, Chief of Police
Barry Pendergraft's Facebook Page

"We call on state and federal authorities to investigate whether the evident anti-Muslim bigotry expressed by Chief Pendergraft is acceptable for someone in his position, who is obligated to provide all citizens, regardless of faith or ethnicity, equal and fair treatment," said CAIR-Alabama Executive Director Khaula Hadeed.

Hadeed said there has been an unprecedented rise in Islamophobia nationwide, which she attributed at least in part to anti-Muslim bigotry expressed by Donald Trump and other public figures.

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.

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CONTACT:
CAIR-Alabama Executive Director Khaula Hadeed, 205-313-6489, or 334-224-2196, kHadeed@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com




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