CAIR-NY Condemns Third in Series of Islamophobic Attacks, This Time on Uniformed MTA Employee
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CAIR-NY Condemns Third in Series of Islamophobic Attacks, This Time on Uniformed MTA Employee
(NEW YORK, NY, 12/5/16) - The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) today condemned the latest in a series of recent hate attacks on Muslims in that state.
According to police, a uniformed MTA officer - who wears and Islamic head scarf (hijab) – was assaulted this morning by a man who yelled “You’re a terrorist and you shouldn’t be working for the city.” The alleged attacker, reportedly shoved the MTA employee down a flight of stairs, injuring her knee and ankle. The NYPD and New York State Division of Human Rights are investigating the attack as a bias incident.
SEE: Muslim Transit Worker Attacked by Hate-Spewing Thug
http://nypost.com/2016/12/05/muslim-transit-worker-attacked-by-hate-spewing-thug/
Cops: Muslim Worker Pushed Down Stairs and Called Terrorist
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/cops-muslim-worker-pushed-stairs-called-terrorist-43988586
“Our subways and buses are emblematic of our city’s unparalleled diversity, and we must not permit them to become a venue for hatred and violence,” said CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher. “President-elect Trump has a duty to forcefully denounce this wave of violence against the Muslim community. Mr. Trump’s rhetoric normalized hate, racism and xenophobia, and these attacks are the unavoidable byproduct.”
“We are grateful to see that witnesses had the courage to intervene in the most recent attack,” said CAIR-NY Director of Strategic Litigation Albert Fox Cahn. “The only way our city and state will overcome this wave of hatred is if New Yorkers step forward whenever we see our neighbors being threatened. It’s incumbent on all New Yorkers to stand firm in the face of hate.”
This latest attack comes just a day after Christopher Nelson, 36, was arrested and for allegedly assaulting an off-duty Muslim NYPD officer - who also wears and Islamic head scarf (hijab) - and her 16-year-old son. According to police, Nelson reportedly shoved the officer’s son and shouted, “ISIS (expletive), I will cut your throat, go back to your country!” and “go back to your country.” Nelson has been charged with menacing as a hate crime and aggravated assault in the second degree.
SEE: 'Hero' Muslim Cop, Her Son Harassed By Bigot in Brooklyn Who Shouted 'I Will Cut Your Throat'
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/hero-muslim-son-harassed-bigot-brooklyn-article-1.2897687
On Friday, CAIR-NY condemned an alleged attack on a Muslim woman transit passenger who reportedly shouted President-elect Donald Trump’s name and Islamophobic slurs during the assault.
Video: CAIR-NY Condemns Hate Attack on Muslim Woman Transit Passenger by Men Shouting ‘Donald Trump’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_XHapWiFdM
CAIR-NY also recently condemned an apparently bias-motivated attack on Muslim teenagers in Queens called on New York City to take a leadership role in defending Muslim civil rights in the wake of Donald Trump’s election as president of the United States.
SEE: CAIR-NY Condemns Hate Attack on Muslim Teens
CAIR-NY Responds to Protests, Calls on City to Take the Lead in Defending Muslims' Civil Rights in Wake of Trump Election
CAIR’s national office has noted a spike in incidents targeting American Muslims and other minority groups since the November 8 presidential election. More than 100 anti-Muslim incidents have occurred across the country according to CAIR and almost 1000 incidents targeting different minority groups have been documented by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
SEE: Cincinnati, CAIR-Alabama Condemn Nazi Vandalism Targeting Interracial Couples
https://www.facebook.com/CAIRNational/photos/a.92140837694.89999.42590232694/10154298853837695/
CAIR-LA Expresses Solidarity with Christian Community After Hate Vandalism of Assyrian Church
https://www.facebook.com/CAIRNational/photos/a.92140837694.89999.42590232694/10154298623317695/
The Washington-based Muslim civil rights organization recently said that newly-released FBI hate crime statistics showing a 67 percent jump in anti-Muslim incidents in 2015 should push the nation’s leaders to repudiate growing Islamophobia.
SEE: CAIR Says FBI Report of Sharp Jump in Anti-Muslim Hate Crimes Should Push Nation’s Leaders to Reject Islamophobia
The Muslim civil rights group is asking Muslim community members to report any bias incidents to police and to 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 the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.
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CONTACT: CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher, 917-669-4006, anasher@cair.com; Director of Strategic Litigation Albert Cahn, 571-766-6273, acahn@cair.com, CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com