***Media Release***

CAIR-Chicago Condemns Racist Display at Lake Bluff July 4th Parade

(CHICAGO, IL 07/15/2022) - The Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, (CAIR-Chicago), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the 2022 parade display entry by the Lake Bluff Lawn Mower Precision Drill Team. The drill team opened for Lake Bluff’s Independence Day parade, marching while allegedly dressed as stereotypical, oil-controlling Arabs. Displays reportedly included signs referencing greed, oil, and money.

"Their entry was utterly racist and horrible - inappropriate cultural appropriation in the least," a parade attendee said. "It was stunningly abhorrent, racist, and discriminatory."

This is not the first time the Lake Bluff Lawn Mower Precision Drill Team has mocked racial minorities in their parade themes. The group’s Facebook page has photos of alleged members dressed as Arab sheikhs in past celebrations. In 2015, the group made headlines after a member apparently wore blackface while costuming as a lawn jockey—one among many offensive caricatures that year.

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"It’s unacceptable that this group—who in the past paraded racist, public displays such as blackface, and continues to mock other racial and national groups— was not permanently censured for their actions. Instead, they were rewarded with the honor of leading this year’s parade. This display of racism is now not only a reflection on this group but also on the parade organizers by extension," Executive Director Ahmed Rehab said. “We demand an explanation, a public apology, and sensitivity training for the organizers and participants. There is no place for racism or mockery at community celebrations. All residents of Lake Bluff should feel equally welcome at their local parade rather than excluded and ridiculed.”

“This pattern of behavior is completely inappropriate and insensitive. It’s especially disheartening to see these displays during a holiday where we should be celebrating our country’s diversity, " expressed Staff Attorney Emma Melton. “Allowing this type of behavior furthers the normalization of stereotypes which leads to discrimination, bullying, harassment, and hate crimes.”

CAIR-Chicago is the Chicago Chapter of America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Our mission is to defend civil rights, fight bigotry, and promote tolerance.

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CONTACT: CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab, 202-870-0166, arehab@cair.com; CAIR-Chicago Communications Coordinator Saadia Pervaiz, 312-374-2131, spervaiz@cair.com;