CAIR-NY Calls for Hate Crime Probe of Anti-Muslim, Anti-Immigrant Assault at TJ Maxx in Bay Ridge

Washington-based Civil Rights Group Questions TJ Maxx’s response to incident

(NEW YORK, N.Y., 10/20/19) —The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called for a hate crime probe of an alleged anti-Muslim and anti-Immigrant assault at TJ Maxx in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn

While a Muslim family was shopping inside the TJ Maxx in Bay Ridge, a white woman reportedly began to harass the family and yelled at them to “Go Back to Your Country!” The family asked for assistance from TJ Maxx to deal with the harassment but were allegedly refused any help. The family called the police, and while waiting, the white female assailant allegedly attacked and struck the Muslim man. The family filed harassment complaint with NYPD.

The family captured the assault on video. The family’s statement, video, and photo of the assailant can be viewed on the following Facebook post: SEE FACEBOOK POST

https://www.facebook.com/CAIRNewYork/posts/2442986669130672

“It is unacceptable that TJ Maxx would value the business of a bigot over protecting their Muslim customers from repugnant harassment. The NYPD must take this matter seriously and initiate a hate crime probe,” said CAIR-NY Litigation Director Ahmed Mohamed. “New Yorkers of all faiths and backgrounds deserve to have a shopping experience that is free of harassment and discrimination.”

Mohamed noted that the family has been traumatized by this incident and is extremely disappointed at TJ Maxx for the way they responded to the harassment and assault.  The family wants the NYPD to take the matter seriously and probe the incident as a hate crime. 

Mohamed called on TJ Maxx to institute proper trainings for employees to respond appropriately to harassment in its stores. 

Mohamed said CAIR has reported an unprecedented spike in bigotry targeting American Muslims, immigrants and members of other minority groups since the election of Donald Trump as president.

SEE: CAIR Condemns Neo-Nazi, KKK Incidents in Arkansas, Maine

CAIR-NY Condemns Anti-Semitic Vandalism of Holocaust Memorial

CAIR Condemns White Nationalist Symbols Discovered on University Campus in Maryland, Urges Campus Officials to Model Inclusivity

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

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. 

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