The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today called on the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office to pursue a hate crime charge against a suspect facing a criminal trial for threats of violence reported against demonstrators at an anti-genocide rally in Rockville, Maryland, last Fall.
SEE: Rockville Man to Stand Trial for ‘Threat of Mass Violence’ Against Pro-Palestinian Protestors
State of MD vs Yosef Appelboum
CASE ID #: D-06-CR-23-007031
In November of last year, CAIR condemned the anti-Palestinian counter demonstration at which demonstrators made violent and racist statements about killing Palestinians.
Yosef Appleboum was charged on November 20, 2023, with one count of “threat of mass violence” for his alleged conduct against peaceful demonstrators protesting for Palestinian human rights
SEE: Vitriolic Counterprotestors at Pro-Palestine Protest in Rockville Go Viral
“This incident rocked our community and exemplified the dangerous levels to which anti-Palestinian and anti-Muslim rhetoric and hate have become normalized in our society,” said CAIR’s Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry. “Prosecuting this incident as a hate crime will not only help pursue justice, it will serve as a deterrent for others who feel entitled to jeopardize the safety and well-being of others due to their racism and bigotry.”
“Upholding justice is essential in preserving the values of inclusivity and mutual respect,” said CAIR National Advocacy Director Nicole Fauster, Esq. “Bringing a hate crime charge against this individual who allegedly threatened mass violence targeting peaceful demonstrators serves as a critical tool in denouncing acts of intimidation and violence driven by prejudice and discrimination.”
Earlier this week, CAIR sought hate crime charges against suspects who reportedly harassed, attacked and choked guests wearing a keffiyeh at a Maryland Muslim woman’s wedding held at the Mayflower Hotel last month in Washington, D.C.
BACKGROUNDER:
On November 5, a group of demonstrators gathered to call for a ceasefire in Gaza when a group of anti-Palestinian counter-demonstrators gathered to oppose them. One counter demonstrator, using a megaphone, said “we will secure America against you animals […] we’ll take your heads, we’ll take your lives […] because we are white and you are murderers.”
Shouting at a pro-Palestine protestor, one counter protestor shouted, “You Muslim, we kill your brothers.” One video of the incident has gained over a million views.
The event occurred near the County Executive Office Building. The trial is scheduled for September 6, 2024, in the District Court for Montgomery County.
Earlier this year, CAIR released new civil rights data showing that it has received 3,578 complaints during the last three months of 2023 amid an ongoing wave of anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian hate.
SEE: 2024 Civil Rights Report: Fatal: The Resurgence of Anti-Muslim Hate
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, zchaudry@cair.com, 410-971-6062; CAIR National Advocacy Director Nicole Fauster, n-fauster@cair.com, (202) 850-9294