CAIR-NY Welcomes Arrest of Racist Who Allegedly Harassed, Threatened Black Pastor and Son in Newburgh

Video still courtesy of Pastor RD McLymore Sr., photo courtesy of ABC News

(NEW YORK, NY, 6/15/2022)—The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) today welcomed the arrest of a white supremacist who allegedly hurled abusive, racist insults and threats at a Black pastor and his teenage son while they were sitting in their car in Newburgh, N.Y., last Saturday. 

William Ryan, 60, who was arrested by police on Tuesday, has been charged with second-degree menacing as a hate crime for his unprovoked racist diatribe and threats against Pastor RD McLymore Sr. and his son.

SEE:  

• Road rage incident leads to hate crime charge 

• Original video, posted by Pastor RD McLymore Sr 

• Arrest made in alleged racist road rage incident in Newburgh 

Afaf Nasher, executive director of CAIR-NY, said in a statement: 

“We are relieved that the alleged perpetrator of this heartless act has been captured and applaud the Newburgh Police Department's swift response and hate crime charges. We must also express our admiration for Pastor RD McLymore Sr., who immediately forgave his oppressor and prayed that he would find the help that he needs. Pastor McLymore’s sense of compassionate justice is the mark of a believer in God and should give us hope that we will one day overcome hatred and violence through kindness and mercy.”

She added that CAIR-NY and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging white supremacy, anti-Jewish hate, anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, and all other forms of bigotry.  

CAIR-NY has condemned several other disturbing hate incidents in recent weeks:     

SEE:    

• CAIR-NY Condemns Racist Pepper Spray Assault on Asian-American Women in Manhattan, Welcomes Hate Crime Probe 

• CAIR-NY Condemns Assault, Robbery of Hispanic Man in Queens, Welcomes Hate Crime Probe 

• CAIR-NY Welcomes Hate Crime Charges for Teens Who Allegedly Scrawled Anti-Black and Anti-Jewish Graffiti on Yorktown Bridge Underpass 

• CAIR-NY Welcomes Hate Crime Indictment for Assault Targeting Jewish Man in Brooklyn 

• CAIR-NY Condemns Islamophobic Verbal Assault on Man in Brooklyn 

• CAIR-NY Condemns Racist Taunts by White Students Targeting Black Athletes, Calls on Rockland County to Take Action 

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. 

Become a Fan of CAIR-NY on Facebook   
https://www.facebook.com/CAIRNewYork    

Subscribe to CAIR-NY's Email List   
https://www.cair-ny.org/stay-connected    

Subscribe to CAIR-NY's Twitter Feed   
https://twitter.com/CAIRNewYork       

Subscribe to CAIR-NY’s YouTube Channel   
https://www.youtube.com/user/CAIRNYtv     

Follow CAIR-NY on Instagram   
https://www.instagram.com/cairnewyork/    

Donate to CAIR-NY   
https://www.cair-ny.org/donate    

Do you like reading CAIR-NY's press releases and taking part in our action alerts? You can help contribute to CAIR-NY's work of defending civil rights and empowering American Muslims across the country by making a one-time contribution or becoming a monthly donor. Supporters like you make CAIR-NY's advocacy work possible and defeating Islamophobia an achievable goal. Click here to donate to CAIR-NY.     

END     

CONTACT: Afaf Nasher, Esq., CAIR-NY Executive Director, CAIR-NY, 917-669-4006, anasher@cair.com; Ahmed Mohamed, CAIR-NY Legal Director, 646-481-2103, ahmedmohamed@cair.com