An Islamic civil liberties and advocacy group wants Alabama and federal authorities to investigate “anti-Muslim bigotry expressed” on social media posts allegedly made by the Gurley Police chief last month.
The Alabama chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations released a statement on Friday about Chief Barry Pendergraft’s Facebook posts regarding bacon grease covered bullets.
On Sept. 23, Pendergraft posted a video of himself loading the bullets with the text, “100 more bacon grease covered bullets in the box! This relaxes me so!!”
On Sept. 27, Pendergraft uploaded a picture of a box filled with the ammunition. He posted, “Happiness is a couple thousand rounds in the ammo box! Bacon grease dipped of course!!”
As of Saturday morning, Pendergraft switched his Facebook page from public to private.
CAIR Executive Director Khaula Hadeed said the chief’s posts support a false belief that Muslims cannot go to heaven if they are shot by the bullets. The Quran forbids Muslims from eating pork because pigs are considered unclean.
“We call on state and federal authorities to investigate whether the evident anti-Muslim bigotry expressed by Chief Pendergraft is acceptable for someone in his position, who is obligated to provide all citizens, regardless of faith or ethnicity, equal and fair treatment,” Hadeed said.
Gurley Mayor Robert Sentell was unaware about the situation until AL.com called him Friday afternoon. He said he will investigate the chief’s posts.