CAIR-NY Condemns 'Sweetheart Deal' for Ex-State Department Official who Threatened, Harassed Muslim Vendor
(NEW YORK, NY, 1/18/2024) - The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) today condemned what it called a “sweetheart deal” for Stuart Seldowitz, an Ex-State Department Official who was captured on video harassing and threatening a Muslim vendor in New York City.
Seldowitz reached a deal to undergo bias training to avoid a charge for his alleged anti-Muslim, anti-Palestinian harassment and stalking targeting a New York City food cart vendor. Seldowitz, a former Obama administration security advisor, will submit to a “26-week Anti-Bias Program through Queens Counseling for Change,” a judge ruled.
CAIR-NY recorded 555 requests for legal assistance in 2023, of which 239 were directly related to Palestinian solidarity representing 43% of its requests.
SEE: Ex-Obama aide Stuart Seldowitz gets deal to lose hate charges
In a statement, CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher said:
“Seldowitz’s vile verbal abuse and harassment targeting an innocent street vendor were caught on video for all to see. The sweetheart deal he received from the Manhattan DA’s office is a shameful affront of our justice system and wholly unfitting of his actions.”
“Anti-Palestinian and anti-Muslim bigotry and hate crimes are on the rise nationwide, and light punishments are a slap in the face to the victims. They represent a failure to address the severity of the issue, perpetuating a cycle of injustice and further marginalization.”
“When deals like this are made, there's no wonder that only 4% of our community reports hate crimes and bias incidents to law enforcement.”
SEE: CAIR-NY's “Feeling the Hate: Bias and Hate Crimes Experienced by Muslim New Yorkers
She noted that CAIR-NY welcomed Seldowitz’s arrest in November.
SEE: CAIR Welcomes Arrests in New York Anti-Muslim, Anti-Palestinian Incidents -
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., CAIR-NY Executive Director, 917-669-4006, anasher@cair.com; Rabea Ali, rali@cair.com; CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com, CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com