CAIR-DFW Condemns John Cornyn
Standing Against Dangerous Political Rhetoric: Responding to Senator John Cornyn’s Attack on CAIR
The Council on American-Islamic Relations–Dallas Fort Worth (CAIR-DFW) strongly condemns the recent campaign advertisement released by Senator John Cornyn that falsely and recklessly targets CAIR.
In the commercial, Senator Cornyn singles out CAIR by name, repeating long-debunked talking points that misrepresent our organization and our mission. These claims are not only untrue, they are dangerous. When elected officials use their platforms to vilify Muslim civil rights organizations, the consequences extend far beyond politics. Such rhetoric fuels Islamophobia, legitimizes discrimination, and places Muslim communities at increased risk of harassment and violence.
For more than three decades, CAIR has worked to protect the civil rights of Muslim Americans, promote civic engagement, and defend the constitutional freedoms guaranteed to every person in this country. CAIR-DFW provides legal assistance to victims of discrimination, conducts Know Your Rights trainings across North Texas, supports survivors of hate crimes, and partners with interfaith and civic organizations to strengthen our shared commitment to justice.Attacks like those made in Senator Cornyn’s advertisement are not based on facts. They are part of a familiar political strategy that seeks to generate fear by portraying Muslims and those who defend their rights as suspicious or un-American. This narrative has been repeatedly disproven, yet it continues to resurface during election cycles at the expense of real people and real communities.
Words from public officials matter. When a United States senator promotes misinformation about a Muslim civil rights organization, it sends a signal that anti-Muslim bias is acceptable. We have seen time and again how this type of rhetoric contributes to increased hate incidents, mosque vandalism, threats, and discrimination against everyday Muslim families.
CAIR-DFW calls on Senator Cornyn to retract these statements and engage in responsible leadership rooted in truth rather than fear. Texans deserve leaders who uphold the Constitution, not ones who undermine it for political gain.We also urge our elected officials, community partners, and allies to reject Islamophobia in all its forms and stand firm against attempts to marginalize any faith community.
CAIR-DFW remains unwavering in its commitment to justice, dignity, and equal protection under the law. No campaign ad and no political attack will deter us from defending the civil rights of Muslims and all people who call Texas home.
CAIR-DFW TEAM
