The Empowerment of Hate: Access to Justice Conference June 2017 PRESENTED BY: Jasmin Samy, Civil Rights manager, CAIR-WA

What is CAIR? CAIR-WA Received 252 Cases in 2016 -Destruction of Property/ Vanadalism: 0.39%% -Employment: 10.71% -FBI: 12.3% -Harassment: 23.8% -Islamophobic Propaganda: 0.39%% -Police: 5.15%% -Immigration: 8.7% -School Bullying: 3.96% -Denial of Religious Accommodations: 7.53% -Denial of Service or Access: 3.96% -Intimidation: 1.58% -Referral: 14.68 -Other: 5.55 The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is a non-profit advocacy organization representing Muslims in North America. We are headquartered in Washington D.C., and have 33 offices in 21 states and 1 chapter in Canada CAIR’s vision is to: Be the leading advocate for justice and mutual understanding. CAIR’s mission is to: Enhance understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

Civil Rights Report 2017: The Empowerment of Hate May 9 2017: CAIR released their 2014-2016 report entitled, The Empowerment of Hate Report Findings: 57% increase in anti-Muslim bias incidents in 2016 from 2015 44% increase in anti-Muslim hate crimes for the same period *Source: CAIR National Civil Rights Report 2017: The Empowerment of Hate http://www.islamophobia.org/15-reports/188-the-empowerment-of-hate.html

Top 5 Triggers of Anti-Muslim Bias Incidents in 2016 6% *Source: CAIR National Civil Rights Report 2017: http://islamophobia.org/15-reports/188-the-empowerment-of-hate.html 8% 35% Other Triggers: 24% 11% 16%

Children’s Voices Study Research conducted by CAIR-WA on Muslim children ages 9-18 Aim of measuring how the problematic climate has changed their lives today, and how it has changed their own outlook and ambitions for the future Interviewed 42 students from 4 school districts, 1 private school, and the University of Washington

Study Findings 52.38% said that they felt more concerned about being targeted based on their religion at school since the presidential election 61.9% feel more unsafe walking on the streets, going out in public, 64.29% now fear for their family’s safety, especially if one or more family members wear the headscarf 11.9% feel the presidential election affecting their confidence in declaring or being associated with their Muslim identity,

Suggestions on Combatting Islamophobia What can be done to overcome negative attitudes and help the Muslim community feel safe? Promoting responsible media and social media coverage that depicts the truth about Islam and Muslims Expand school curriculum to include stories and facts about Islam Portray Muslim characters and actors in more diverse and representative television and movie roles

Thank you and Happy Ramadan 