GREENCASTLE, Ind.–Social media posts by a candidate for Greencastle city council are being condemned by a national Muslim advocacy organization. A representative from the Council on American-Islamic Relations said the posts are not funny and seem like a threat.
“America needs to shut down all Mosques and ban Islam,” and “I denounce Islam. I denounce Allah & Mohammed. I denounce the Quran and Sharia Law. Any questions?” read two posts by Haywood Ware, a Republican who also ran for mayor in 2015.
Attempts to reach Mr. Ware were unsuccessful.
“Every elected official has to swear an allegiance to upholding and defending the Constitution and state laws,” said Robert McCaw, government affairs director for CAIR. “You cannot advocate for shutting down mosques and say you stand with the Constitution.”
McCaw pointed to the “Establishment Clause” of the 1st Amendment to the Constitution, which reads, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
He also said some of the memes and posts could be considered threatening. “I just saw a sign that said ‘I would rather have 1,000 Muslim customers in my shop than 1 U.S. soldier.’ Funeral directors are funny people,” read another post from Ware’s account.
The posts were deleted, but were preserved with screen shots.
“I see them not as disrespecting, but intimidating and threatening the very safety and civil rights of Muslims,” said McCaw.
McCaw said Ware should realize he’s running to serve all communities.
“Mr. Ware should apologize immediately and make a good faith effort to reach out to the local Muslim community in Greencastle to help dispel his bigoted misconceptions about Islam,” said McCaw.
PHOTO: Screen Shots of Haywood Ware’s Facebook account
