The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed hate crime charges against the alleged perpetrator who targeted a Hispanic man at a gas station in Mamaroneck, New York.
According to court documents, the perpetrator targeted the victim based on his identity, telling him to “go back to your country” and questioning his immigration status. Authorities have charged the suspect with felony third-degree assault as a hate crime and misdemeanor criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation. He was arraigned in Mamaroneck Village Court and released with conditions, including meeting with a social worker. A temporary order of protection was issued in favor of the victim.
SEE: South Carolina man charged with hate crime in New York assault case
SEE: DA: SC man charged with hate crime at Mamaroneck gas station
In a statement, CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher, Esq., said:
“Allegedly targeting someone because of their ethnicity or perceived immigration status is a reprehensible act that undermines the very principles of equality and human dignity. New York must be a place where diversity is respected and protected, and acts of hate are met with swift justice.”
Nasher said CAIR-NY and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all communities impacted by bigotry, including those facing racism, antisemitism, systemic anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, white supremacy, and other forms of hate.
END
CONTACT: Afaf Nasher, Esq. CAIR-NY Executive Director, ANasher@cair.com; CAIR-NY Communications Team, comms@ny.cair.com