(NEW YORK, NY, 9/15/2022) – The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) today welcomed the arrest of a suspect in a hate crime assault targeting a 17-year-old Muslim girl in Queens, N.Y.
Police arrested 41-year-old Joval Cedeno of Brooklyn yesterday for allegedly attacking the teen on the subway on Feb. 18. Cedeno reportedly began berating the teenager as she was boarding the N train, then proceeded to hit her upper back and neck. He is facing charges for hate crime assault, among other crimes.
SEE: Police arrest suspect for Queens anti-Muslim hate-crime subway assault against 17-year-old
“We welcome the arrest of the suspected perpetrator of this appalling assault targeting a teenage girl allegedly due to her faith,” said CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher. “Law enforcement authorities must crack down on the rising tide of bias-motivated crimes in our city.”
She noted that earlier this month, CAIR-NY released its 2022 hate crimes report, “Feeling the Hate: Bias and Hate Crimes Experienced by Muslim New Yorkers,” which documents the various forms of bias and hate crimes that Muslim New Yorkers have experienced.
SEE: CAIR-NY Publishes 2022 Report Documenting Bias and Hate Crimes Experienced by Muslim New Yorkers
Nasher said CAIR and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging antisemitism, systemic anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.
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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.
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CONTACT: Afaf Nasher, Esq., CAIR-NY Executive Director, 917-669-4006, [email protected]; Ahmed Mohamed, CAIR-NY Legal Director, 646-481-2103, [email protected]