CAIR-NY Welcomes Hate Crime Charge for Suspect Who Called Store Employees 'Terrorists'
Pexels/Brandon Benedict
(NEW YORK, NY, 1/30/2023) - The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), today welcomed hate crime charges against a man who reportedly attacked employees at a convenience store in Utica and attempted to set the building on fire.
[NOTE: The smear "terrorist" is often used by bigots to target American Muslims or those perceived to be Muslim.]
Police said the 51-year-old suspect entered the store around 2:30 p.m. Saturday and threatened the employees, calling them "terrorists" and saying they were going to burn. Police said the man then started spraying the employees and the store with an unknown substance, which he attempted to light on fire. The man has been charged with attempted second-degree arson and attempted second-degree assault. Police said that the charges will be considered hate crimes.
SEE: Utica man charged with hate crimes for trying to set store on fire
“We welcome the charges against the suspected perpetrator of this horrific crime as a sign that bigoted violence will not be tolerated in our society” said CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher.
She added CAIR-NY and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging anti-Jewish hatred, anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.
CAIR-NY has condemned several other disturbing hate incidents in recent weeks:
SEE: CAIR-NY Calls for Hate Crime Probe into Possible Arson, Racist Vandalism in Monroe Co.
CAIR-NY Welcomes Arrest of Suspects Who Allegedly Targeted NYC Jewish Communities
CAIR-NY Denounces Attacks on Orthodox Jewish Men in Williamsburg, Welcomes Hate Crime Investigations
CAIR-NY Welcomes Arrest, Hate Crime Charges for Alleged Perpetrator of Assault Targeting White Woman
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; Ahmed Mohamed, CAIR-NY Legal Director, 646-481-2103, ahmedmohamed@cair.com