The Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the violent attack on a CBS News Chicago reporter and photographer near the Adler Planetarium and welcomed the swift apprehension of three suspects by law enforcement. According to reports, the assailants allegedly shouted racial slurs, attempted to direct a dog to attack the journalists, and vandalized news equipment and a station vehicle while the crew was preparing for a live broadcast. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
The attack is yet another disturbing reminder of the increasing hostility faced by journalists simply for carrying out their work and informing the public. An attack on members of the press is an attack on the public’s right to receive information free from intimidation and violence. A CBS Journalist was also shot at with pepper balls by ICE outside of Broadview Detention Center during Operation Midway Blitz.
Additionally, more hateful posters were put up in Waukegan, this time displaying anti-Black messaging and depicting their Mayor Sam Cunningham as a bigfoot-like character. Shortly after, the Gurnee Police arrested a Libertyville man who is suspected of being the culprit behind MAGA posters targeting immigrants, and the posters of the Waukegan Mayor.
READ MORE: 3 in custody after CBS Chicago news crew attacked near Adler Planetarium
In a statement, Jordan Esparza-Kelley, Communications Coordinator for CAIR-Chicago, said:
“We are truly disturbed at the quantity of hate driven incidents throughout the Chicagoland area currently. There is no question that the irresponsible rhetoric President Trump has used towards the media and towards immigrants and minorities in general has been deeply harmful. Wannabe kings sew divide amongst society as the material reality of it crumbles; people are struggling to afford to live, to find jobs, and provide for their families yet our federal administration’s priority is simply fueling hate and ignoring every real issue they should be working to resolve.”
CAIR-Chicago expects authorities to conduct full and transparent investigations, pursue all appropriate charges where warranted, and ensure that any bias-related elements of the attack are thoroughly examined.
CAIR-Chicago stands i solidarity with the journalists and staff of CBS News Chicago and reaffirms its support for the essential role of a free and independent press in a democratic society.
CAIR-Chicago urges community members who experience or witness bias incidents, discrimination, or hate crimes to report them to local law enforcement and to CAIR-Chicago’s Civil Rights Department at: www.cairchicago.org/report-discrimination
CAIR’s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
CONTACT:
Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director, CAIR-Chicago, 202-870-0166, arehab@cair.com | Jordan Esparza-Kelley, Communications Coordinator, CAIR-Chicago, 224-627-1032 j-esparzakelley@cair.com