(BALTIMORE, MD, 12/7/2023) – The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today released the updated number of complaints, hate bias incidents, and requests for assistance it has received over the past eight weeks from October 9 – December 2. The civil rights group has recorded 109 complaints, reports of hate bias incidents and requests for advocacy assistance between November 9 – December 2, bringing the total to 223 complaints, incidents and requests for assistance recorded in Maryland since the escalation of violence on Oct. 7.
As compared to September 2023, the months of October and November have seen a four to five-fold increase in the number of reports of incidents and requests for assistance. Of the 109 complaints and requests processed between November 9 – December 2, approximately 32 percent were complaints or reports of hate bias incidents and Islamophobia in schools and colleges/universities, 13 percent were workplace related incidents and concerns, and 17 percent were reports of doxxing or online threats. Censorship and First Amendment free speech rights are a growing concern especially among students and educators in schools and employees in the workplace.
A sample of reports and complaints include:
Montgomery County:
- Bomb threat at a Silver Spring mosque forcing evacuation during Friday congregational prayers
- Teachers placed on administrative leave without warning for expressing support for Palestinian human rights
- High school students heckled and harassed during a peaceful walkout in solidarity with Palestinian human rights
- Students forbidden from displaying the watermelon symbol, Palestinian flag or saying ‘Free Palestine’ on school property
- Verbal and physical assault of student called a “baby killer” by his classmates
- Students photographed by a stranger without consent after attending a protest for Palestine
- Muslim student singled out as a ‘terrorist’ in class by a teacher during a discussion on Israel and Palestine
- Dehumanizing remarks by lawmakers
- Concerns about law enforcement hate crime investigation
Washington County
- Students approached for questioning by a law enforcement officer while playing basketball
- Road rage involving an aggressive driver making obscene comments about ‘Free Palestine’ bumper sticker on a vehicle
Baltimore City:
- Anti-Palestinian hate graffiti discovered on private property
- Vandalism of an Arab-owned business
- Threats and slurs against community members attending a ceasefire demonstration
- Car window broken at an Arab American family’s apartment building
- Violent online posts by a physician endorsing the genocide of Palestinians
- Hostile comments, work environment by a nursing supervisor
Baltimore County:
- Islamophobic posters displayed in a classroom
- Silencing, ‘shaming’ of Muslim, Arab students
- Anti-Palestine propaganda and rhetoric by a teacher
- Derogatory comments and bullying of a Muslim girl
Prince Georges’ County:
- Hateful letter delivered to an Islamic organization
- Bullying and harassment of refugee students
- A group of students locked in a classroom and lights shut off while praying
- Student’s hijab attempted to be forcibly removed
Howard County:
- Threatening emails sent to a Howard County mosque
- Students told by classmates “Palestine is dead”, “all Muslims should die”
- A woman told by her employer that the keffiyeh is a “terrorist symbol”
- Racist remarks/attitude towards a Muslim family by a server at a diner
“These most recent numbers reflect the fact that islamophobia and anti-Arab hate continue to be pervasive problems fueled by the relentless dehumanization and erasure of Palestinians,” said CAIR’s Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry. “Reporting hate crimes and bias motivated incidents helps build safer communities partly by motivating others to also share their experiences. This enables CAIR to capture more accurate data so that we can inform community stakeholders and work to identify solutions.”
CAIR is urging its communities to report complaints and incidents even if action or follow-up isn’t requested.
Report an incident in Maryland: bit.ly/hatebiasform or email mdoutreach@cair.com
The civil rights group offers a wide range of trainings on topics including know your rights, islamophobia, Palestine advocacy, self-empowerment, bystander intervention, mosque and community safety, anti-bullying, civic engagement, cultural competency and more. To schedule a free training, email mdoutreach@cair.com.
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: CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, 410-971-6062, zchaudry@cair.com