Hate Crime Investigation Launched after Muslim Teen Girl Attacked on NYC Subway
The 16-year-old was aboard a southbound 5 train approaching Union Square around 9 a.m. Wednesday when a man sat down next to her, according to police. The man told the girl "you’re a terrorist, you don’t belong here," before pulling on her hijab she was wearing.
Another female passenger intervened to help the girl, a police source with direct knowledge of the investigation said. The man ran off and police are still searching for him. No arrests have yet been made, and police are investigating it as a possible hate crime.
"I’m very sorry for her and her family and everyone in the city. We are going through a challenging time right now," said Detective Mohamed Amen. "But I want to assure her and everyone that the police department is really looking after everyone in the city.”
The NYPD has seen a number of hate crimes since Israel launched deadly airstrikes on the Gaza Strip after a surprise operation by Hamas earlier in the month.
Anti-Muslim motivated complaints have seen an uptick since the attacks, with seven prior to Oct. 8 throughout the year, and five more over the least three weeks.
Burhan Carroll, of the Council on American–Islamic Relations (CAIR) in New York, said the organization has been "flooded with calls lately, requests for assistance." The group said it has several first hand accounts of the uptick in Islamophobia.
"People are scared. They’re very frightened just to go about their daily business," said Carroll.
The NYPD says many hate crimes go unreported, but Det. Amen said it is crucial for members of the community to speak up.
"Reporting your crime it’s very important so that we stop these bad people from doing this to someone else," said Amen. "You cross the line, you break the law, it’s on you. Regardless who you are. We will not tolerate that."
The NYPD said it has officers who speak dozens of languages from different backgrounds, adding that anyone with an issue to report can request to speak with someone they may identify with.
Source: nbcnewyork.com
