RNA - The nation's leading Muslim civil rights advocacy group has demanded a New Mexico convenience store remove a sign that reads “Obama & other Muslims Not welcome here.” The store previously displayed a sign that ready "Kill Obama." It also sells the signs to customers.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations said the not welcome sign was anti-Muslim and anti-President Barack Obama. Obama is Christian, but critics often claim he is Muslim.
“While everyone has the First Amendment right to free speech – even offensive speech – we urge the store’s owner to remove the sign in the interest of common decency and of our nation’s unity at a time of increasing divisions,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.
The sign has been called offensive and racist by customers on Facebook who also demanded the Mayhill, New Mexico, store owner reconsider the sign.
“It’s been here a long time,” Marlon McWilliams, who used to work at the store, told local media. “They’re offensive to me from time to time, but you know that’s my opinion. That’s the way I feel.”
As it turns out, the store is up for sale for $359,000. If the store doesn't remove the sign, critics suggest someone else buy the store and make the change themselves.
“I wish somebody would buy it,” said McWilliams. “I really do, because it would be a great asset for somebody to be there to run it. Because that’s the only place you can go to get milk and bread.”
Hate crimes have been widely reported in cities across the nation since Republican Donald Trump won the presidential election in November against Hillary Clinton. There were more than 1,000 bias-related incidents from Nov. 8 through Dec. 12, the Southern Poverty Law Center reported.
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