National Muslim Civil Rights Group Issues Statement on Quincy Alderman Controversy
CAIR and its Chicago chapter are backing a proposed Quincy Human Rights Commission resolution seeking accountability from Ward 3 Alderman Mike Adkins over social media activity and public statements the organizations characterize as anti-Muslim.
QUINCY, Ill. A controversy involving comments and social media activity attributed to a Quincy alderman has drawn the attention of a national Muslim civil rights organization, one day after Quincy Current reported concerns raised publicly by the Islamic Center of Quincy.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR, along with its Chicago chapter, issued a statement Friday supporting action being considered by the Quincy Human Rights Commission involving Ward 3 Alderman Mike Adkins.
CAIR describes itself as the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization. In its Sept. 4 statement, CAIR and CAIR-Chicago said they support the Human Rights Commission following its decision to prepare a formal resolution concerning social media activity and public statements by Adkins that the organizations characterize as anti-Muslim.
The development adds a national organization to a local discussion that became public earlier this week.
Human Rights Commission Considering Resolution
According to CAIR, community members presented the Quincy Human Rights Commission with social media material they said had been shared or liked by Adkins, along with concerns about comments made publicly.
The Human Rights Commission agreed to draft what CAIR described as a formal resolution of displeasure for consideration. CAIR said the commission is expected to vote on the resolution Oct. 6 before it would be forwarded to the Quincy City Council. Local reporting also indicates the commission has invited Adkins to address its members at an upcoming meeting.
It is important to note that descriptions such as “anti-Muslim” and “Islamophobic” represent the characterizations of CAIR, the Islamic Center and individuals who have raised concerns. Quincy Current is not independently assigning those labels to Adkins’ statements or social media activity.
CAIR and CAIR-Chicago said elected officials have a responsibility to represent constituents regardless of religious background and argued that rhetoric targeting Muslims can damage public trust.
The organizations said they “urge the Quincy City Council to hold Alderman Adkins fully accountable.”
The CAIR statement does not specify what form that accountability should take.
Islamic Center Raised Concerns Earlier
The national response follows a statement from the Islamic Center of Quincy that Quincy Current reported on Thursday.
In that Facebook message, the Islamic Center said an unnamed alderman had made comments during a Quincy town hall meeting that the organization believed were insulting to Islam and Muslims.
The Islamic Center’s original post did not identify the alderman, provide a transcript of the remarks or reproduce the comments it found objectionable. The organization described the situation as unusual in its experience in Quincy and emphasized what it viewed as the community’s longstanding tradition of peace and goodwill.
CAIR’s statement Friday specifically identified Adkins as the elected official at the center of the controversy.
The town hall referenced in the developing dispute appears to be a recent Ward 3 meeting hosted by Adkins and fellow Ward 3 Alderman Kelly Mays. Approximately 100 residents attended that Aug. 30 gathering at the Quincy Town Center.
Allegations Remain Attributed
CAIR-Chicago also published images it said represented one post purportedly shared by Adkins and two additional social media posts he allegedly liked. The material was presented to the Human Rights Commission by a community member, according to the organization.
Quincy Current is continuing to treat the descriptions of those posts and statements as attributed claims while seeking the original material and its complete context.
The existence of a complaint, a Human Rights Commission review or a statement from an advocacy organization does not by itself establish misconduct by an elected official.
As of publication, Quincy Current had not located a public response from Adkins specifically addressing Friday’s CAIR statement.
Issue Moves Beyond Quincy
CAIR frequently becomes involved in disputes involving religious discrimination and civil rights. The organization says its mission includes protecting civil liberties, promoting understanding of Islam and advocating for American Muslims.
Its involvement means a controversy that began with local concerns and a statement from Quincy’s Islamic community has now received attention beyond the city.
The next significant step is expected to come before the Quincy Human Rights Commission, where the proposed resolution will provide a clearer indication of exactly what action commissioners are asking the City Council to consider.
Quincy Current will continue following the matter, including any response from Adkins, the language of the Human Rights Commission’s proposed resolution and any action ultimately taken by the Quincy City Council.
Quincy Current has reached out to Alderman Adkins for an interview.
