(CHICAGO, IL, 10/19/2023) – The Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today announced that hate crime charges were brought against a man who reportedly threatened to shoot two Muslim men after allegedly shouting anti-Muslim statements.
A Lombard man has been charged with two counts of hate crimes after he reportedly approached one of the victims on Tuesday night and began shouting obscenities targeted at the man’s Muslim faith, telling him he didn’t belong in his country, and saying “this is America.” The man then allegedly punched the first victim’s window before going into the lobby of an apartment building.
The man then reportedly encountered the second victim, whom he threatened to punch after yelling obscenities. The man then returned outside, where one of the victims was seated on a bench. He reportedly lifted one side of the bench such that the victim fell off. The man reportedly said he called four of his friends to come and shoot the two men.
SEE: Man charged with hate crime after allegedly threatening to shoot 2 Muslim men in Lombard
In a statement, CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab said:
“We thank law enforcement for swiftly apprehending and charging the suspect in this disturbing incident. This is a standard to follow if we are to stand a chance of deterrence. CAIR-Chicago has been inundated with hate incidents not seen since 9/11. There is widespread palpable apprehension in the community.”
Rehab said that CAIR-Chicago will hold a special press conference next week to discuss the volume and nature of the influx of hate incidents in the area and what can be done about it.
BACKGROUNDER ON INCREASED ANTI-MUSLIM BIGOTRY SINCE ESCALATION OF MIDEAST VIOLENCE
CAIR and its affiliates nationwide have documented an increase in incidents of anti-Muslim bigotry in the weeks following the escalation of violence in Gaza.
CAIR-SFBA recently condemned a verbal assault on a Muslim woman on her way to pick up her daughter from school.
SEE: Video: CAIR-SFBA Condemns Possible Hate Crime Targeting Muslim Woman
On Oct. 17, CAIR-LA condemned an attack targeting students at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) while they attended a virtual Palestine Emergency Panel.
SEE: CAIR-LA Condemns Attacks Against Pro-Palestine UCLA Students, Calls for Investigation and Ban by School
On Oct. 16, CAIR-LA condemned an attack targeting pro-Palestinian protesters during a demonstration in West Los Angeles.
SEE: CAIR-LA Condemns Attack on Pro-Palestinian Protesters in Los Angeles
On Oct. 16, CAIR called on law enforcement authorities to investigate a threatening message sent to an Oregon Islamic organization as a possible hate crime.
SEE: CAIR Calls for Hate Crime Probe of ‘Die Muslims Die’ Message to Oregon Islamic Organization
On Oct. 15, CAIR-Chicago decried the reported stabbing death of a six-year-old Palestinian-American boy and the stabbing of his mother.
SEE: BREAKING: CAIR-Chicago Calls for Hate Crime Charge for ‘You Muslims Must Die’ Killing of Palestinian-American Child
On Oct. 13, CAIR-Texas called for the arrest of several men seen harassing students at the University of Texas during a Palestine Solidarity Committee meeting on the recent violence and deaths in the Gaza Strip.
SEE: CAIR-Texas Calls for Campus Ban of Men who Harassed Students at U. Texas Palestinian Solidarity Meeting
Also on Oct. 13, CAIR-MI applauded the swift arrest of a Michigan resident who was allegedly making credible threats against Palestinians in Dearborn and calls on prosecutors to charge Farmington Hills resident with a hate crime under Michigan’s current Ethnic Intimidation Law.
SEE: CAIR-MI Welcomes Arrest of Person Allegedly Threatening to Shoot Palestinians in Dearborn, Calls for Hate Crime Enhancement
Also on Oct. 13, CAIR-Cleveland called for a hate crime investigation after an individual reportedly breached security protocols to gain unauthorized access to its office in an apparent attempt to disrupt the private event held by the civil rights organization.
SEE: CAIR-Cleveland Calls for Hate Crime Probe After Harasser Breaches Office
On Oct. 12, CAIR-NY condemned alleged anti-Palestinian attacks in Brooklyn and called on public officials and the media to end anti-Palestinian incitement.
SEE: CAIR-NY Condemns Anti-Palestinian Attacks in Brooklyn, Urges Officials and Media to End Anti-Palestinian Incitement
On Oct. 11, CAIR-Chicago reported a spike in hate calls/emails, and community concern outreach since the outbreak of violence in the Middle East.
SEE: CAIR-Chicago Reports Spike in Hate Messages, Community Concerns Received After Outbreak of Mideast Violence
Also on Oct. 11, CAIR’s Maryland office condemned growing reports it is receiving of Muslim and Arab students experiencing harassment and intimidation in public high schools and on college and university campuses.
SEE: CAIR’s Maryland Office Condemns Growing Reports of Muslim, Arab Students Harassed on School and College Campuses
On Oct. 10, CAIR-MA called on law enforcement authorities to investigate vandalism targeting a sign for Palestinian and Islamic organizations in Boston as a possible hate crime.
SEE: BREAKING: CAIR-MA Calls for Hate Crime Probe of ‘Nazis’ Vandalism Targeting Boston Palestinian, Islamic Sign
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: Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director of CAIR-Chicago, arehab@cair.com; Erin P.R. Davis, MCM, Communications Coordinator of CAIR-Chicago, 773-802-8786, epdavis@cair.com