CAIR-NY Welcomes Arrest of Man Who Attacked Seven Asian Women, Applauds Hate Crime Charges from NYPD

(NEW YORK, N.Y. 4/5/2022)—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 man who police believe violently assaulted seven Asian women in Manhattan on February 27. 

In a hate-filled crime spree, Steven Zajonc allegedly stalked the women from behind, then punched and elbowed them in the face, without uttering a word. 

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

“We share the relief felt by our brothers and sisters in the Asian American community at the news of this man’s arrest, but we know that they continue to be the targets of racist violence. We will always stand with them and with all New Yorkers who desire to live without fear of being attacked because of who they are.” 

She noted that yesterday, CAIR-NY condemned an attack on an elderly Sikh man in Queens, N.Y. 

Nasher said the American Muslim community and CAIR stand in solidarity with all those challenging antisemitism, white supremacy, anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, and all other forms of bigotry. 

CAIR-NY’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, 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: Afaf Nasher, Esq. Executive Director, CAIR-NY, 917-669-4006, anasher@cair.com; Ahmed Mohamed, CAIR-NY Litigation Director, 646-481-2103, ahmedmohamed@cair.com