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NAACP Stands by Chapter President Who Shared Anti-Semitic Image

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August 6, 2020

After weeks of silence, the NAACP is refusing to call for the ouster of Philadelphia chapter president and Nation of Islam minister Rodney Muhammad after he posted an anti-Semitic image on Facebook last month.

In a statement to the Philadelphia Tribune, NAACP spokeswoman Austyn Ross said the organization is "saddened and deeply disappointed by the harm caused by Mr. Muhammad's actions" but did not call for Muhammad's resignation.

Muhammad—who is a follower of anti-Semitic Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan—has not apologized for the post but removed it after recognizing the "offensive nature" of the image.

The picture depicted a caricature of a Jewish man and included the phrase, "To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize"—a quote attributed to neo-Nazi Kevin Alfred Strom.

Muhammad has quoted or otherwise promoted Farrakhan in multiple Facebook posts. Farrakhan, who has led the Nation of Islam for more than four decades, has a history of making anti-Semitic remarks and pushing conspiracy theories about the Jewish people. At a 2018 national gathering of the Nation of Islam, he called the Jewish people "satanic." He previously blamed the slave trade on the Jewish people and said they have a "stranglehold" on Congress.

In response to Muhammad's post, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia said it would cut ties with the local NAACP chapter until a new president is selected. Last month, Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf (D.) and state attorney general Josh Shapiro (D.) called for Muhammad's resignation.

Though he has not yet been removed from office, Muhammad is up for reelection in November.

Published under: Anti-Semitism , NAACP