CAIR-Ohio Advocates for Equal Districts at Fair Maps Town Halls

by CAIR-OHIO in 2021, August, Recent News

(COLUMBUS, OHIO 08/4/2021) – On Tuesday, July 27, Thursday, July 29, and Wednesday, August 4, the Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) spoke at Fair Maps Town Halls across the state. CAIR-Ohio representatives advocated for equal districts that fairly represent Muslim communities in Ohio.

Amina Wase, a CAIR-Ohio intern who lives in Centerville and is educating her community about redistricting, spoke on her perspective as a Muslim American at the Dayton Town Hall. Specifically, Wase pointed out that her fellow Muslim community members who live five minutes east of her home are not represented in the same district as her despite their shared experiences.

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CAIR-Ohio Empowers Community Members Through Monthly Record Sealing Clinic

by CAIR-OHIO in 2021, August, Recent News

(COLUMBUS, OHIO 07/11/2021) – On Sunday, July 11, the Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) hosted a virtual record sealing clinic to help those with a prior criminal history through the record sealing application process. The July clinic is a part of a monthly program which will continue into the remainder of the year.

The stigma around a prior criminal conviction can be a barrier to accessing essential resources such as employment, housing, education, licensing, and credit. This means individuals who have already gone through the criminal justice system are further punished because of their limited access to opportunities that will help them move forward in their lives. However, eligible candidates may apply for their records to be sealed. If granted, record sealing will remove the applicant’s criminal record from public view. This means they may fill out subsequent employment, housing, and other applications as if the sealed record does not exist.

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Join CAIR-Ohio For Dayton Community Redistricting Event

by CAIR-OHIO in 2021, August, Recent News

Bring your friends, enjoy good food and fight against gerrymandered districts from 6-8PM on Wednesday, Aug. 11th at Dayton Mercy Society!

Redistricting directly impacts the voting power of the Muslim community. Help us ensure Ohio Muslims are not left out, split up or ignored. We’ll have a food truck on site. Draw your map = get a free meal!

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CAIR-Ohio Testifies Before Ohio Citizens’ Redistricting Commission

by CAIR-OHIO in 2021, July, Recent News

(CINCINNATI, OHIO 07/29/2021) – On Thursday, July 22, the Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) testified before the Ohio Citizens’ Redistricting Commission (OCRC) to advocate for equal districts that fairly represent the Muslim community.

Redistricting – the drawing of new state and congressional district maps – directly impacts the voting power of the Muslim community. Ohio is one of the most gerrymandered states in the nation, ensuring that district maps favor politicians instead of voters. That often means purposefully splitting up communities into different districts to dilute their political power. Furthermore, the public has been left in the dark about this process for far too long.

It is critical Ohio Muslims are not left out, split up, or ignored. That’s why CAIR-Ohio has been advocating for fair maps and educating and mobilizing the Muslim community.

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