CAIR-Chicago Press Conference on firing of Muslim Lawyer for supporting Palestinian Rights
(CHICAGO, IL, 12/6/2023) - The Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago) is holding a press conference today at 11:00 am to discuss the case of Jinan Chehade, a Georgetown Law graduate who was fired from well-known Chicago law firm Foley & Lardner - and the rise in similar incidents.
SEE: Prominent Law Firm Rescinds Job Offer to Arab American Attorney Who Supports Palestinian Rights
WHAT: Press Conference on Firing of Chicago Muslim Lawyer for supporting Palestinian rights
WHEN: Today (Wednesday), December 6th at 11:00AM
WHERE: CAIR-Chicago Azima Center - 17 N State St. Chicago IL 60602 - Suite 1500
WHO: Jinan Chehade (Client), and Rima Kapitan, Palestine Legal & CAIR-Chicago (Attorneys), and Ahmed Rehab (CAIR-Chicago Executive Director)
"We believe that Jinan was fired on a discriminatory basis, that she was treated differently based on her religion and origins," Phil Robertson, CAIR-Chicago Litigation Director said.
Robertson noted that this incident is not an isolated phenomenon but part of a disturbing trend CAIR has observed locally and nationally in this current climate.
"It is ironic that Foley & Lardner partners told Ms. Chehade that her exclusion from the firm furthered 'diversity,' a professed value of the firm. We reject Foley & Lardner’s brand of diversity, which violates federal and state discrimination laws by excluding Arabs, Muslims, and those who insist that Palestinians have human rights too," Rima Kapitan, partner at Kapitan Gomaa Law said.
"In addition to hate crimes and hate incidents that get most of the attention, we are also seeing a quiet yet furious surge in employment discrimination and censorship cases - as well as harassment and doxing - intended to silence and/or punish those who stand up for Palestinian rights," Ahmed Rehab, CAIR-Chicago Executive Director said. "We're in the business of making sure that unfair bullying practices never pass by quietly."
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The Press Conference will be carried live on CAIR-Chicago's Facebook page.
CAIR-Chicago is an office of CAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to defend civil rights, fight bigotry, and promote tolerance and understanding.
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CONTACT: Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director of CAIR-Chicago, arehab@cair.com; Erin P.R. Davis, MCM, Communications Coordinator of CAIR-Chicago, 773-802-8786, epdavis@cair.com