CAIR-NY Condemns Racist, False Accusation Targeting Black Teen at NYC Hotel
CAIR-NY Condemns Racist, False Accusation Targeting Black Teen at NYC Hotel
Screencap from the video of the December 26 incident at the Arlo hotel in Soho. Photo: @keyonharrold/Instagram
(NEW YORK, NY, 12/29/2020) – The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the racist, false accusation targeting Black teen in a New York City hotel.
According to reports, on December 26, a woman falsely accused a Black teen of stealing her iPhone at the Arlo Hotel located in SoHo. The teenager’s father, Keyon Harrold Sr., alleged that the woman tackled his 14-year-old son, Keyon Harrold Jr. Harrold Sr. is a Grammy award winning jazz musician.
After the incident, an Uber driver found and returned the woman’s phone to the hotel.
SEE: CBS Local: Woman Falsely Accused Black Teen of Stealing Cell
In a video, Harrold Sr. stated he suffered an injured to his hand while trying to protect his son during the assault.
SEE: Keyon Harrold Sr. Instagram Post
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CJR6LviHFkd/?utm_source=ig_embed
In a statement, CAIR-NY Legal Director Ahmed Mohamed said:
“This is anti-Black racism, and it is horrifying to watch this incident and to learn that hotel staff aided and abetted this racist assault. This woman assaulted and endangered a child in broad daylight. It is unacceptable, and the Manhattan district attorney needs to send a message that this behavior will not be tolerated in our city.”
He said Washington-based CAIR and the American Muslim community are standing in solidarity with all those challenging anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, and white supremacy.
SEE: CAIR Condemns Acts of Vandalism in Takoma Park, Md., Welcomes Hate Crime Investigation into Swastika Spray-Painted on Vehicle
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: Ahmed Mohamed, CAIR-NY Legal Director, 646-481-2103, ahmedmohamed@cair.com