CAIR: No to Islamophobia / IHRA Repression of Free Speech Trenton Press Conference, Monday, March 17, 11 am, Statehouse Annex Courtyard
SPEAKER UPDATE MEDIA ADVISORY: Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman to join CAIR-NJ in Marking International Day to Combat Islamophobia
(NEWARK, NJ, 3/14/25) – On Monday, March 17, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) will join the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, in commemorating the International Day to Combat Islamophobia at the Trenton State House. She will be joined by advocates, community leaders and subject-matter experts to speak on the dangers of anti-Muslim bigotry across New Jersey.
Elected officials alongside community organizers will mark the United Nation’s International Day to Combat Islamophobia and call on New Jersey state leadership to address rising trends in anti-Muslim hate.
The press conference comes days after New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed a proclamation on March 10, 2025, designating March 15 as the day to Combat Islamophobia.
On March 17, speakers will caution against legislative attempts to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism that aims to silence advocates for Palestinian human rights by falsely conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism.
CAIR-NJ will also release its civil rights report documenting anti-Muslim discrimination in New Jersey, as well as emerging shifts in how American Muslim communities have faced various forms of anti-Muslim bigotry. In 2024, CAIR offices nationwide received a total of 8,658 complaints—the highest number ever recorded since the organization’s first civil rights report in 1996. This marks a 7.4% increase from the 8,061 complaints received in 2023, signaling a worsening climate of Islamophobia.
To obtain an embargoed copy of CAIR-NJ’s report, media professionals may email: dterpstra@cair.com
WHAT: News conference to commemorate theUnited Nation’s International Day to Combat Islamophobia and release new civil rights data
WHO:
- Selaedin Maksut, Executive Director, CAIR-New Jersey
- Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District) [NEW]
- Imam Saffet Catovic — Operations Director of Justice for All
- Imam Hamad Ahmad Chebli — Islamic Society of Central Jersey
- Assemblyman Alaa Abdelaziz (Legislative District 35)
- Dr. Sahar Aziz — Director of the Rutgers Center for Security, Race and Rights
- Wassim Kanaan — Chair of the NJ Chapter of American Muslims for Palestine
- Haliema Twam — Civic Engagement & Advocacy Manager at Palestinian American Community Center
- Dr. Sadaf Jaffer — Former Assemblywoman of Legislative District 16
- Dr. Raz Segal — Professor of Holocaust & Genocide Studies at Stockton University
WHEN: Monday, March 17, 11 a.m. ET
WHERE: Outside the State House Annex Building, 131-137 W. State St. Trenton, NJ 08608
LIVESTREAM: https://www.facebook.com/CAIRNewJersey/
CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Communications Manager Aya Elamroussi, 551-208-5482, aelamroussi@cair.com
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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