CAIR-NY Welcomes Hate Crime Charges in Attack on Turkish Couple

Assailant allegedly shouted 'F***ing Arabs! F***ing terrorists!'

NEW YORK, June 28, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) today welcomed the filing of hate crime charges against a Brooklyn man who allegedly shouted "F***ing Arabs! F***ing terrorists!" as he attacked a Turkish man and his wife who live next door.

Simchon Schwartz, 46, allegedly shoved the woman against her car and poured beer on her head. When the woman's husband came out of their house to protect his wife, Schwartz reportedly punched him in the face. Schwartz was charged with felony assault and felony criminal mischief, both as hate crimes. He was also charged with resisting arrest, obstructing police, menacing and harassment.

SEE: Brooklyn Hasid Charged with Felony Hate Crime After Attacking 'F---ing Arabs' Living Next Door (NY Daily News)

http://tinyurl.com/6a9hdjn

"We thank law enforcement authorities for treating this attack with the seriousness it deserves and for bringing appropriate hate crime charges against the alleged perpetrator," said CAIR-NY Civil Rights Manager Cyrus McGoldrick. "This disturbing incident, which can be viewed as a symptom of growing anti-Muslim sentiment in our society, must be repudiated by New York religious and political leaders."

He added that CAIR and the University of California, Berkeley's Center for Race and Gender recently released a report that documents growing Islamophobia in the United States.

SEE: New CAIR, UC Berkeley Report Documents Growing Islamophobia in U.S.

http://tinyurl.com/3nn2jde

Video: U.S. Muslims Challenging Anti-Sharia Bills (CAIR)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znk79bby1ho

McGoldrick said examples of other hate incidents targeting American Muslims, those perceived to be Muslim and Muslim institutions include:

Video: Muslim Students Bullied in N.C. Schools

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdJtlhpDZzI

Video: Houston Mosque Deliberately Set On Fire (CAIR)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgT-8DOMDvE

CAIR: Stockton Mosque Fire an Arson, Investigators Say

http://tinyurl.com/3chtl4x

CAIR: Calif. Mosque Vandalized with Hate Signs

http://tinyurl.com/23j8ka8

Video: Anti-Muslim Note Left on Woman's Car (CAIR-WA)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBUU-85wbKg

Video: Florida Mosques Targeted by Hate (CAIR)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tF0fVr8Qq0c

Video: CAIR Calls La. Mosque Vandalism an Act of Intimidation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvEMtEbZcr4

The Washington-based Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization is urging members of the Muslim community to review security procedures using advice contained in its "Muslim Community Safety Kit."

SEE: CAIR Muslim Community Safety Kit

http://www.cair.com/ActionCenter/CommunityToolKit.aspx

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

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CONTACT: CAIR-NY Civil Rights Manager Cyrus McGoldrick, 203-206-6883, E-Mail: [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: [email protected]; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations