CAIR-NY, Partners to Rally and Demand Action After NYPD Hate Crimes Unit and Bronx District Attorney's Office Drop Probe of Bias Attack on Black Muslim Woman
NYPD Deputy Inspector Mark Molinari Refuses to Investigate While Admitting “It may have been a hate crime,” citing unwillingness of the Bronx DA's office to prosecute
(NEW YORK, NY, 6/12/19) – On Saturday, June 15, the New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), along with civil rights activists and community partners, will hold a rally in the Bronx to demand action following a decision by the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force to drop its investigation of the allegedly bias-motivated beating of a Black Muslim woman, Fatoumata Camara.
In a phone call with a CAIR-NY representative, the head of the Hate Crimes Task Force, Deputy Inspector Mark Molinari reportedly admitted that the attack on Ms. Camara “may have been a hate crime,” but that the investigation will not be pursued by his unit because the Bronx District Attorney will not prosecute if the victim cannot identify the attacker. Molinari is refusing to investigate despite the fact that the Task Force has not interviewed Ms. Camara and that there are surveillance videos, photographs and a witness that could identify the attackers.
CAIR-NY is the victim’s legal representative. CAIR-NY contacted the Bronx District Attorney asking if it had spoken with the Hate Crimes Task Force. The Bronx DA did not respond.
WHAT: Rally to Demand Action & Seek #JusticeforFatou
WHERE: Rev. Lena Irons Unity Park, E. 168th Street, The Bronx, NY 10456
WHEN: Saturday, June 15, 12:30 – 3 p.m.
CONTACT: CAIR-NY Litigation Director Ahmed Mohamed, ahmedmohamed@cair.com; 646-481-2103; CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher, anasher@cair.com; 917-669-4006
SEE: Muslim Woman Investigated Her Own Hate Crime After NYPD Dismissed Her Case
Video: CAIR-NY Represents Muslim Woman Beaten by Group of Teens Hurling Religious, Racial Insults
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QTlNwXMyFA
CAIR-NY Litigation Director Ahmed Mohamed stated:
“Ms. Camara has suffered twice -- once by the hate crime, and again, by the NYPD's continued refusal to adequately investigate the brutal attack and the Bronx District Attorney's apparent disinterest in prosecuting the matter. The trauma suffered by Ms. Camara is tremendous. A victim's inability to identify her attackers while under the shock of trauma is not a reason for the Hate Crimes Task Force and the Bronx District Attorney's office to reject a hate crimes probe. Ms. Camara, herself, delivered video surveillance evidence of the perpetrators identities from the moment of the attack. This unwillingness to move forward is a shameful demonstration of why community trust in law enforcement is so low. It begs the question, if Ms. Camara was anyone other than an immigrant, black, Muslim woman, would a more thorough investigation be delivered?”
Last week, CAIR-NY joined the New York City Commission on Human Rights, the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, Action Network, The Bronx Borough President’s African Advisory Council, African Immigrant’s Commission, the Young African Network, and the Guinean Community of North America (GUICA) at a Day of Visibility (DOV) to bring awareness to the incident.
The Washington-based civil rights organization said it has witnessed an unprecedented spike in bigotry targeting American Muslims and members of other minority groups since the election of Donald Trump as president
CAIR is America'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.
Individuals in New York 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’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR 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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