SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
According to news reports, an unknown number of people who came into contact with the substance were quarantined inside the building. (Photo: CAIR/Facebook)
Muslim Advocacy Group HQ Evacuated After 'Suspicious Substance' Reported
"We receive threats on almost a daily basis, so it's nothing new for us," says CAIR spokesperson.
Dec 10, 2015
Law enforcement and a hazmat team are on the scene at the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) headquarters in Washington, D.C., which has been partially evacuated on Thursday due to a suspicious piece of mail.
CAIR, whose mission is to "enhance understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims," said on social media that its Capitol Hill office was evacuated by police after a powdery "foreign substance" was found in an envelope.
\u201cCAIR Capitol Hill office evacuated by police after "foreign substance" received in mail. https://t.co/fR2laAkQG0\u201d— CAIR National (@CAIR National) 1449772937
According to ABC7, "An unknown number of people who came into contact with the substance were quarantined inside the building."
The Washington Post reports that Ibrahim Hooper, a spokesman for the organization, said "a poof of white powder wafted out of an envelope when a staff member opened it."
The development comes amid escalating xenophobia and anti-Muslim rhetoric, as well as increased reports of attacks based on race and religion.
"We receive threats on almost a daily basis, so it's nothing new for us," said Hooper. "But a suspicious substance--that's new."
Follow developments on Twitter:
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Deirdre Fulton
Deirdre Fulton is a former Common Dreams senior editor and staff writer. Previously she worked as an editor and writer for the Portland Phoenix and the Boston Phoenix, where she was honored by the New England Press Association and the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies. A Boston University graduate, Deirdre is a co-founder of the Maine-based Lorem Ipsum Theater Collective and the PortFringe theater festival. She writes young adult fiction in her spare time.
Law enforcement and a hazmat team are on the scene at the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) headquarters in Washington, D.C., which has been partially evacuated on Thursday due to a suspicious piece of mail.
CAIR, whose mission is to "enhance understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims," said on social media that its Capitol Hill office was evacuated by police after a powdery "foreign substance" was found in an envelope.
\u201cCAIR Capitol Hill office evacuated by police after "foreign substance" received in mail. https://t.co/fR2laAkQG0\u201d— CAIR National (@CAIR National) 1449772937
According to ABC7, "An unknown number of people who came into contact with the substance were quarantined inside the building."
The Washington Post reports that Ibrahim Hooper, a spokesman for the organization, said "a poof of white powder wafted out of an envelope when a staff member opened it."
The development comes amid escalating xenophobia and anti-Muslim rhetoric, as well as increased reports of attacks based on race and religion.
"We receive threats on almost a daily basis, so it's nothing new for us," said Hooper. "But a suspicious substance--that's new."
Follow developments on Twitter:
Deirdre Fulton
Deirdre Fulton is a former Common Dreams senior editor and staff writer. Previously she worked as an editor and writer for the Portland Phoenix and the Boston Phoenix, where she was honored by the New England Press Association and the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies. A Boston University graduate, Deirdre is a co-founder of the Maine-based Lorem Ipsum Theater Collective and the PortFringe theater festival. She writes young adult fiction in her spare time.
Law enforcement and a hazmat team are on the scene at the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) headquarters in Washington, D.C., which has been partially evacuated on Thursday due to a suspicious piece of mail.
CAIR, whose mission is to "enhance understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims," said on social media that its Capitol Hill office was evacuated by police after a powdery "foreign substance" was found in an envelope.
\u201cCAIR Capitol Hill office evacuated by police after "foreign substance" received in mail. https://t.co/fR2laAkQG0\u201d— CAIR National (@CAIR National) 1449772937
According to ABC7, "An unknown number of people who came into contact with the substance were quarantined inside the building."
The Washington Post reports that Ibrahim Hooper, a spokesman for the organization, said "a poof of white powder wafted out of an envelope when a staff member opened it."
The development comes amid escalating xenophobia and anti-Muslim rhetoric, as well as increased reports of attacks based on race and religion.
"We receive threats on almost a daily basis, so it's nothing new for us," said Hooper. "But a suspicious substance--that's new."
Follow developments on Twitter:
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.