A Center Square reporter was denied entry to CAIRCON 2026 in Washington, D.C., despite other media outlets being allowed to attend the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ annual policy conference. CAIR says the event is a private gathering and that it can determine which press outlets rec…

(The Center Square) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations, one of the country’s largest Muslim rights groups, booted a reporter from The Center Square when he tried covering the group’s annual policy conference in Washington, D.C. 

“Unfortunately, you won’t be able to attend the conference,” Corey Saylor, the group’s research and advocacy director, said Saturday morning at the Washington Hilton Hotel. "It’s a private event.” 

Amy Mekelburg, an anti-Islam activist and social media influencer, who uses the name “Amy Mek” on her X account, said she was not surprised that CAIR barred a reporter from attending its policy conference.  

“Groups that preach ‘civil rights’ in public and hide their record in private do not want independent journalists in the room,” she said. “They want friendly outlets. They want control of the narrative.”

Saylor declined to address the charge. "Treating her as a legitimate voice delegitimizes you," he said, noting that Mekelburg formed a nonprofit dedicated to appealing the murder conviction of Paul Cortez, a friend. HuffPost in 2018 reported that Mekelburg and her husband formed the nonprofit. 

Caroline Hendrie, executive director of the Society of Professional Journalists, told The Center Square, "This was a private event, so we are going to decline to comment." 

Originally published on thecentersquare.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.