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.
According to CAIR-Austin, the incident occurred around 7 a.m. Saturday morning at the North Austin park as a group of Muslims gathered for a fellowship breakfast. Video shared by the organization shows two men dressed in costumes resembling medieval Christian crusaders confronting the group and shouting Islamophobic insults.
Muzzammil Ahmad, an Austin Imam who attended the breakfast, said the encounter was profoundly unsettling.
“When Muslim families show up for this monthly potluck with their children right after morning prayers, they do so in good faith, seeking joy, fresh air, and connection to one another and God’s nature,” Ahmad said in a written statement. “It was deeply troubling that those hateful individuals chose to intimidate and threaten us in a public place that is meant for children to play around safely.”
CAIR-Austin Operations Manager Shaimaa Zayan said Austin police officers responded to the scene but told the group the men’s conduct was protected under the First Amendment. The organization has asked the Austin Police Department and city officials to investigate the incident to determine whether any laws or city park policies were violated. The Police and Parks departments did not respond to requests for comment.
The Walnut Creek Park incident follows recent actions by state leaders targeting CAIR. On Nov. 18, Abbott signed a proclamation designating CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organizations, barring both groups from purchasing or acquiring land in Texas.
The proclamation also authorizes the state to seek dissolution of both organizations through the courts, according to Abbott’s office. Two days later, the Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin chapters of CAIR sued the state, alleging the proclamation violates the First Amendment and chills protected speech.
Last week, Paxton filed a response arguing the chapters’ claims were speculative and baseless, according to a Dec. 23 press release from his office.
Cornyn also took action following Abbott’s proclamation. On Dec. 18, the senator introduced legislation that would end the group’s tax-exempt status. In a statement announcing the bill, Cornyn said, “No organization who bankrolls terrorists should get a tax break, period.”
CAIR officials said such statements contribute to hostility toward Muslim communities.
“Texas Muslim families and non-profit organizations in Texas have recently faced increased targeted harassment and Islamophobic bigotry by state officials and hateful groups, and Austin is no exception,” Zayan said in the news release. “Divisive, hateful and threatening rhetoric undermines the safety and sense of belonging of all Texans.”