August 6, 2020
Issue: Hate Crimes
Muslim Advocates Calls for Hate Crime Investigation for Suspected Denver Arson and Murder
WASHINGTON, DC — On Wednesday, a suspected arson and murder in Denver, Colorado killed five members of the Diol family, a Senegalese-American Muslim family in the Green Valley Ranch neighborhood. Denver police have opened a homicide investigation and suspect that arson is the cause. The following is a statement from Scott Simpson, Muslim Advocates’ public advocacy director:
“We are praying for the family and friends of those killed in the fire. Our hearts are also with Denver’s Senegalese community and all Denverites. Law enforcement authorities must take this suspected murder and arson seriously. Muslims in Colorado may have been threatened by hate-motivated arson before and hate crimes in the state are on the rise.
We call on law enforcement to immediately investigate whether the deadly fire in Green Valley Ranch was motivated by hate. The family of those lost and the Muslim community in Denver deserve justice and peace of mind.”
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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