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(MIAMI, FL, 7/25/2016) - The Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations(CAIR-Florida), the state's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization, today said it has requested the Boca Raton Police Department and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate statements made by Palm Beach Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher about a potential bomb threat targeting the Islamic Center of Boca Raton (ICBR). "Regardless of a person's religion, safety at any place of worship should be taken seriously, especially in this case where there is indication of a possible bomb threat toward ICBR, said CAIR-Florida Civil Rights counsel Omar Saleh.
Last week, Bucher informed Muslim community leaders of her decision to change an election polling station location from ICBR to a local public library in response to letters and calls received mostly from locals, but also nationwide. Bucher described some of the calls as vulgar and threatening and also mentioned the possibility of a bomb threat against the Islamic center. It does not appear that Bucher ever notified law enforcement of the alleged bomb threat.
Acting on behalf of the Islamic Center of Boca Raton, CAIR-Florida has formally requested from the Boca Raton Police Department and the U.S. Department of Justice to immediately initiate a full investigation of the alleged bomb threat to the designated polling station.
CAIR-Florida's Civil Rights Department, and other national civil rights organizations' lawyers are presently exploring possible legal avenues to address Bucher's removal of the Islamic Center as a polling station.
The Islamic Center Removal has been covered in the following news stories:
- Florida Muslim group vows to fight removal of Islamic center as voting site
- Muslim group considers legal action after Florida Islamic center removed as voting site
- Editorial: Bucher too quick to abandon mosque polling place
- Sun Sentinel: Elections supervisor removes Boca Raton mosque as polling site
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CAIR-Florida is the state's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties of all people, and
build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
"El objetivo del CAIR es lograr que se respeten los derechos de las personas y que se alcance un entendimiento mutuo, al mismo tiempo que se fomenta el diálogo constructivo, la justicia y la comprensión social."
