Austin Muslim leaders are calling on top state officials to condemn what they describe as “targeted harassment” of Muslims following an incident at Walnut Creek Park that they say mirrors similar cases in other states that resulted in criminal charges.
In a news release, the Austin chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations linked the incident to recent actions by Gov. Greg Abbott, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton, saying their rhetoric is “fomenting anti-Muslim hate across the state.” The group urged the three Republican officials to publicly denounce the incident.
Abbott, Cornyn and Paxton did not respond to requests for comment…