CAIR-NY Welcomes Arrest of Man Threatening to Kill Rep. Ilhan Omar; Decries Increased Islamophobic Environment

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(NEW YORK, N.Y., 4/6/19) — The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the arrest of a New York man for threatening to assault and kill Rep. Ilhan Omar, the first Somali-American Muslim Congresswoman.  CAIR-NY also decried the increased Islamophobic environment that has led to ongoing threats to Rep. Omar’s safety.

New York resident Patrick Carlineo was arrested after he placed a call to Rep. Omar’s Washington, DC, office.  During the call, Carlineo told a staff member: “Do you work for the Muslim Brotherhood? Why are your working for her, she’s a (expletive) terrorist. I’ll put a bullet in her (expletive) skull.”  Carlineo informed FBI agents that he is a “patriot,” that he loves President Trump and hates radical Muslims in government, according to the criminal complaint. 

SEE: Feds Arrest New York Man for Making Death Threats at Rep. Ilhan Omar

In a statement, CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher said:

"The political environment, led by an Islamophobe in the White House, has normalized hate speech and emboldened bigots in their actions. The rising threat of Islamophobia and white supremacy must be taken seriously. We are thankful that law enforcement tracked this individual down before he could act on his hatred for Muslims.”

Yesterday, another New York resident, white supremacist Thomas Alonzo Bolin, was arrested by the FBI after plotting New Zealand inspired terrorist attacks on Muslims in America.

SEE: CAIR-New York Welcomes Arrest of White Supremacist Who Used Facebook to Plot Attacks on Muslims; Urges Community to Remain Vigilant

CAIR-NY also cited a threat targeting a Maryland mosque, an arson attack on a California mosque, a bomb threat targeting Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, recent arrests in an alleged bomb plot targeting Muslims in New York, guilty pleas in the bombing of a Minnesota mosque, and sentencing of men in a plot to bomb Muslims in Kansas.

SEE: CAIR-San Diego Condemns Arson Attack on Escondido Mosque, Plans Interfaith Vigil

CAIR Welcomes Stepped-Up Security After Online Threat Targeting Maryland Mosque

CAIR-LA Condemns Bomb Threats Made on Event Featuring Rep. Ilhan Omar, Thanks LAPD

Militia Members Get Decades in Prison in Kansas Bomb Plot

http://www.startribune.com/3-militia-members-face-sentencing-in-kansas-bomb-plot/504848242/

CAIR Asks Feds to Charge Men Accused in Bomb Plot Targeting New York Muslim Community

Two Militia Men Plead Guilty to Bombing Minnesota Mosque

https://www.arabamericannews.com/2019/01/27/two-militia-men-plead-guilty-to-bombing-minnesota-mosque/

The New York-based civil rights organization has witnessed an unprecedented spike in bigotry targeting American Muslims, immigrants and members of other minority groups since the election of Donald Trump as president. CAIR-New York has repeatedly expressed concern about Islamophobic, white supremacist and racist Trump administration policies.

Muslim community members are asked to report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR-NY at (646) 665-7599, or by filing a report at: https://www.cair-ny.org/incident-report/

CAIR-NY is New York’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.

La misión de CAIR-NY es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.

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CONTACT: CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher, 917-669-4006, anasher@cair.com; CAIR-NY Litigation Director Ahmed Mohamed, 646-481-2103, ahmedmohamed@cair.com

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