CAIR-NY Calls for Hate Crime Probe of Noose Found Hanging from Tree in Louis Engle Park

CAIR-NY Calls for Hate Crime Probe of Noose Found Hanging from Tree in Louis Engle Park

(NEW YORK, N.Y., 8/1/19) – The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), the state’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called for a hate crime investigation of an incident involving a noose hanging from a tree at Louis Engle Park in Westchester County. 

According to a News 12 report, police officers have removed the noose and are investigating to see if this was a hate crime.  Police are describing the noose as a “string from sweatpants.” 

SEE News 12 Report: http://westchester.news12.com/story/40863012/suspicious-rope-found-hanging-on-tree-at-louis-engle-park

CAIR-NY Litigation Director Ahmed Mohamed said:

“CAIR-NY stands strongly against bigotry and hate crimes. Hanging a noose in a local park is repugnant, harmful and can only send a message of hate and intimidation. It is important for law enforcement to accurately categorize the rope for what it is: a noose. Accordingly, authorities must swiftly investigate this racist incident as a possible hate crime. Bigots must understand that their hateful actions have consequences.” 

Mohamed noted that New York state has an anti-noose bill that makes hanging of a noose to intimidate the public illegal.

SEE Anti-Noose Crime Statute: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/240.31

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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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