US Muslim Coalition Calls for Justice, Accountability, Transparency in Baltimore

U.S. Muslim coalition calls for justice, accountability, transparency in Baltimore 

(Washington, D.C., 5/1/2015) - 

The US Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO), a coalition of leading national and local Muslim organizations, today welcomed the announcement that Maryland State prosecutors have filed homicide and misconduct charges against six police officers in the death of Freddie Gray.

In the statement, the USCMO said:

"The USCMO stands in solidarity with the family of Freddie Gray and the Baltimore community in seeking justice, accountability and transparency in Mr. Gray's death at the hands of the Baltimore Police Department. Today's charges are a step in the right direction."

"A significant part of the American Muslim community is African American who not only endure commonplace police brutality, but also profiling because of their faith. Like our African American brothers and sisters, the USCMO believes it is our duty to join other community and civil rights organizations standing for justice and demanding an end to police brutality, an end to the structural racism that allows this brutality to exist, and an end to racial and religious profiling, and calling for the demilitarization of our local police forces."

"Unfortunately it did not begin with Freddie Gray and will not end with him. We continue to demand justice for all the men and women of color who have lost their lives due to excessive police force."

USCMO Secretary General Oussama Jammal added, "All communities deserve to be treated with dignity and respect and to walk freely without fear of harassment or of being targeted by law enforcement. We understand that justice is universal and we must work collectively towards upholding the rights of all Americans."

"USCMO prays for the healing of the city of Baltimore and for justice, peace, and harmony in our country" 

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Founding members of USCMO: American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), Muslim Alliance in North America (MANA), Muslim American Society (MAS), Muslim Legal Fund of America (MLFA), Muslim Ummah of North America (MUNA), The Mosque Cares (Ministry of Imam W. Deen Mohammed).

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Council on American-Islamic Relations 453 New Jersey Ave, S.E., Washington, D.C., 20003 Council on American-Islamic Relations Copyright © 2015. All rights reserved.

Media Contact: Oussama Jammal Secretary General 202-683-6557 708-288-1914 ojammal@uscmo.org