CAIR-NY Welcomes Arrest in Another Post-Election Hate Attack on Muslim Woman
(NEW YORK, NY, 12/8/16) - The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) today welcomed the arrest of Michail Isakharov for allegedly attacking a Muslim woman in Brooklyn last month.
The November 14 attack, which took place just six days after President-elect Donald Trump’s election victory, occurred in the Kensington section of Brooklyn and was one of several post-election incidents targeting local Muslim women. According to police, Isakharov shouted “Muslims are not supposed to be driving!” before snatching the victim’s phone and grabbing the hijab off her head. Prosecutors have charged Isakharov with aggravated harassment as a hate crime and criminal mischief in the third and fourth degrees.
SEE: Brooklyn Man Busted for Snatching Muslim Woman's Hijab, Shouting 'Muslims Are Not Supposed to Be Driving!
Man Who Snatched Woman’s Hijab Charged with Hate Crime
http://nypost.com/2016/12/07/man-who-snatched-womans-hijab-charged-with-hate-crime/
“We welcome the swift response of the NYPD Hate Crimes Taskforce in this case, and we expect that prosecutors will make this and all hate crimes a priority,” said CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher. “We hope this arrest helps show that hate crimes will never be tolerated in New York City.”
“We are grateful for the leadership Mayor de Blasio and the NYPD Hate Crimes Taskforce have shown in responding to this surge in attacks,” said CAIR-NY Director of Strategic Litigation Albert Fox Cahn. “We expect to partner with local and state leaders to ensure that every New Yorker can practice his or her faith in safety.”
Earlier this week, police reported that a uniformed MTA officer - who wears and Islamic head scarf (hijab) – was assaulted 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
This latest arrest 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.