Issue:

Muslim Advocates Urges Swift Action to Protect Incarcerated Americans Amid Coronavirus Crisis

Washington, DC — On Monday, Muslim Advocates joined an action spearheaded by The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights along with more than 150 organizations asking leading elected and law enforcement officials to take immediate steps to reduce the prison population and protect incarcerated Americans from the ongoing spread of coronavirus. As a recent Muslim Advocates report found, Muslims are vastly overrepresented in the prison population with about nine percent of all people in state prisons identifying as Muslim. 

 “Governors, mayors and law enforcement officials must keep people out of harm’s way and ensure the well-being of incarcerated people nationwide,” said Muslim Advocates Staff Attorney Matt Callahan. “We have a duty to protect our most vulnerable citizens and that includes the incarcerated. Without immediate action, prisons and jails can become virus tinderboxes that threaten the lives and well-being of everyone inside as well as the community at large.”

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Muslim Advocates is a national civil rights organization working in the courts, in the halls of power and in communities to halt bigotry in its tracks. We ensure that American Muslims have a seat at the table with expert representation so that all Americans may live free from hate and discrimination.

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