(WASHINGTON D.C., 4/21/2022) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed federal hate crime charges against a Wisconsin man who allegedly left racist and threatening notes on several neighbors’ cars, which he also reportedly vandalized.
According to the federal complaint, William A. McDonald, 54, has been charged with willfully injuring, intimidating or interfering with someone’s housing rights because of their race, by force or threats of force.
A Black woman reported all four tires of her car were slashed and she found a racist note that threatened, “If I see you again, I’ll slash your (expletive) throat.” A Puerto Rican woman with Black sons reportedly found a note, saying “I’ve been watching all you (expletives) (N-word) moving into MY neighborhood.” A Black couple found two of their car’s tires cut and a note on the car read, “Get the (expletive) out of my neighborhood, (N-word).”
“We welcome these charges as a clear statement that those who allegedly engage in racist intimidation will be held accountable,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. “Law enforcement authorities must make every effort to protect members of minority communities from the growing bigotry we are witnessing nationwide.”
He said CAIR and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging antisemitism, anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, and white supremacy.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR 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: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, [email protected]; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, [email protected]