The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) today welcomed a guilty plea to a federal hate crime by a man who broke into the Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University (CILRU) in New Brunswick on the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr and destroyed property earlier this year.
Jacob Beacher, 24, forcibly entered the CILRU through its back door early morning before 3:00 a.m. on April 10. He damaged property at the site, including several religious artifacts and numerous other items that contained holy language from the Quran. Beacher also stole a Palestinian flag and a charity box belonging to the center, authorities said
The incident came amid a rising tide of anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian bigotry nationwide, which persists today.
“CAIR-New Jersey welcomes the guilty plea and thanks law enforcement authorities for investigating this horrific case of vandalism targeting the Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University (CILRU),” CAIR-NJ Communications Aya Elamroussi said.
“With anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian bigotry on the rise nationwide, it’s imperative for perpetrators to be held accountable. The vandalization of the Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University, which had a Palestinian flag displayed at the time, is an example of such bigoted violence. All Americans, including Muslims, have the right to practice their religion freely without fear or intimidation,” Elamroussi added.
CAIR’s mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Communications Manager, Aya Elamroussi, 551-208-5482