The Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago) today expressed disappointment with a sentence of probation for a man who hit and made hateful comments against Palestinian neighbors in Orland Park.
Terrence Clyne, 68, pleaded guilty Wednesday to a misdemeanor battery, while a felony hate crime charge was dismissed. According to police, Clyne, punched a male neighbor because of his Palestinian origins. When the man’s wife tried to deescalate the situation, Clyne reportedly made more hateful comments about her Palestinian heritage.
SEE: Orland Park man gets probation after pleading to battery in alleged hate crime
In January of this year, CAIR-Chicago welcomed a hate crime charge brought against Clyne.
“We are disappointed with this outcome in which a perpetrator of a hate crime gets off easy. It is critical to ensure both appropriate punishment and appropriate deterrence of hate crimes if we are to reverse the disturbing rise in bigotry we see nationwide,” said CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab.
Data released recently by CAIR shows that anti-Palestinian and anti-Muslim bigotry remains elevated in the first half of 2024, just as the civil rights organization logged a record number from October 7, 2023, until the end of the year.
SEE: New CAIR Data Shows Anti-Muslim, Anti-Palestinian Hate Remain Elevated in First Half of 2024
CAIR-Chicago is an office of CAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director of CAIR Chicago, 202-870-0166, [email protected]; Maggie Slavin, Operations Manager of CAIR-Chicago, 815-590-3991, [email protected]; Hafsa Haider, Communications Coordinator of CAIR-Chicago, 561-317-7509, [email protected]