The Council for American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) building in Southeast Washington was evacuated Thursday afternoon after found a “foreign substance” had been mailed to the office, according to Twitter post from the group.
D.C. fire department spokesman Tim Wilson confirmed that a hazmat team was on scene but said officials have not yet made any determination about the substance.
Police spokeswoman Karimah Bilal confirmed that officers were called to the 400 block of New Jersey Avenue SE for a report of a suspicious package, but said officials can not yet confirm what was found on site.
The group said they are taking the situation seriously, but wouldn’t let it get in the way of doing their job.
“This will not deter us from continuing to protect the civil rights and liberties of all Americans,” CAIR staff attorney Maha Sayed said on the group’s Facebook page.
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