Muslim group moves banquet over threats

Bomb threats prompt cancellation after Muslim rights group's advocacy for Palestinians

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) decided to move its annual gala from a Marriott Hotel in Virginia to an undisclosed location due to threats of violence.
The threats included anonymous calls threatening to plant bombs in the hotel's parking garage, kill specific hotel staff in their homes, and replicate the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Threats arose following CAIR’s change in programming to focus on Palestinian human rights and an online campaign they launched urging Congress to support a ceasefire in Gaza.
CAIR condemned the threats of anti-Palestinian and anti-Muslim bigots, declaring they won’t be silenced in their pursuit of justice for all.
Police departments in Arlington and the FBI were contacted and are investigating the threats, but additional security from local law enforcement agencies could not be secured, contributing to the decision to move the event.