(MINNEAPOLIS, 7/7/16) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations, Minnesota (CAIR-MN), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called for congressional hearings to address public outrage over two police shootings of African-American men in Louisiana and Minnesota and to propose legislation to help prevent such deadly incidents from occurring in the future.

On Wednesday, a Minnesota officer shot and killed 32-year-old Philando Castile while he was in a car with his girlfriend and her child. The aftermath of the shooting was livestreamed on Facebook.

On Tuesday, 37-year-old Alton Sterling was shot and killed during a confrontation with police officers outside a Baton Rouge, La. Video of the shooting was posted online by a community activist. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said it take the lead in the investigation of that shooting.

SEE: A Look at Recent Police Shootings Involving Black Men (AP)

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/recent-police-shootings-involving-black-men-40399003 

Here's How Many Black People Have Been Killed by Police This Year

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/black-people-killed-by-police-america_us_577da633e4b0c590f7e7fb17 

In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:

"We welcome the U.S. Department of Justice intervention in the Louisiana shooting case and urge similar action to provide for robust and transparent investigations of the Minnesota incident and other recent police shootings of African-American men.

We call on Congress to hold hearings designed to address this ongoing issue and to propose legislation to help prevent these tragic incidents from occurring in the future."

"We call on federal officials to investigate the shooting of Philando Castile and for a thorough review of police policies, hiring and training in the wake of this tragedy," said CAIR-MN Executive Director Jaylani Hussein.

 

CAIR sought action following previous police shootings of African-American men and boys.

SEE: CAIR-Cleveland 'Disappointed' at Grand Jury Decision to Not Indict Officer Who Fatally Shot 12-year-Old Tamir Rice
http://www.cair.com/press-center/press-releases/13326-cair-cleveland-disappointed-at-grand-jury-decision-to-not-indict-officer-who-fatally-shot-12-year-old-tamir-rice.html

CAIR Joins NAACP 'All Lives Matter' Rally in Maryland

http://www.cair.com/press-center/american-muslim-news/12760-cair-joins-naacp-all-lives-matter-rally-in-maryland.html

CAIR-NY 'Dismayed' at Grand Jury Decision to Not Indict on NYPD Chokehold Death

http://www.cair.com/press-center/press-releases/12748-decision-to-not-indict-on-nypd-chokehold-death-of-eric-garner.html

CAIR Calls for National Action on Racism After Ferguson Grand Jury Decision

http://www.cair.com/press-center/press-releases/12741-cair-calls-for-national-action-on-racism-after-ferguson-grand-jury.html

CAIR publishes a booklet outlining basic information about Islamic beliefs that are relevant to law enforcement agencies.

SEE: A Law Enforcement Official's Guide to the Muslim Community

http://www.cair.com/images/pdf/law_enforcement_guide.pdf

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

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CONTACT: CAIR-MN Executive Director Jaylani Hussein, 612-406-0070, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726,This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; CAIR Communications Coordinator Nabeelah Naeem, 202-341-4171, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.