(BOSTON, MA, 9/18/23) – On Tuesday, September 19, the Massachusetts chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MA) will hold a media availability following the expected 2 p.m. sentencing of Joan Ditomaso, the woman who verbally accosted Melrose City Councilor Maya Jamaleddine and then allegedly assaulted her husband last year.
WHAT: Media Availability with Councilor Maya Jamaleddine and CAIR-MA
WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 19, following the expected sentencing of Ditomaso at 2 p.m.
WHERE: Malden District Court, 4040 Mystic Valley Parkway, Medford, MA
CONTACT: Barbara J. Dougan, CAIR-MA Legal Director, 781-281-9992, [email protected]
BACKGROUNDER
In December 2022, Melrose City Councilor-at-Large Maya Jamaleddine was sitting in her car with her two children. A woman in the car next to her reportedly rolled down her window and angrily yelled at Jamaleddine, “What are you looking at, you terrorist Arab? Go back to your [expletive] country!” Jamaleddine wears a hijab, the traditional Muslim head scarf, and is the first Muslim to be elected to public office in Melrose.
Jamaleddine’s husband, who had been putting air in their tires, overheard the remark and asked the woman why she would say such a thing. He filmed the woman’s license plate. Video shows the woman following him back to the family’s car, where their frightened children waited, and then allegedly shoving him so she could film their license plate.
Ditomaso was arraigned on an assault and battery charge in June 2023.
SEE: Woman arraigned in assault on Melrose city councilor’s husband
CAIR-MA called for a hate crime investigation following the incident in December 2022.
SEE: CAIR-MA Calls for Hate Crimes Probe into Incident Targeting Muslim City Council Member and Family
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.
END
CONTACT: CAIR-Massachusetts Legal Director, Barbara J. Dougan, 781-281-9992, [email protected]