Rights Group Urges Ohio Police to Investigate Assault on Somali Woman as Hate Crime
According to CAIR, the woman was assaulted by four individuals, described as white, while waiting for her children’s school bus outside an apartment building in Columbus on March 20.
Video footage reportedly shows the suspects arguing with her before pushing her to the ground. One attacker repeatedly kicked her, and as she attempted to return inside, another individual emerged from the building and struck her in the face.
The woman, whose identity has not been disclosed, was treated at a hospital and later discharged. She told CAIR she believes her ethnicity and religion were factors in the assault.
“This is not an isolated incident,” said Khalid Turaani, executive director of CAIR’s Ohio chapters. “It reflects a broader pattern of hostility and discrimination against marginalised communities.”
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CAIR has urged authorities to review nearby CCTV footage and pursue assault and hate crime charges. The organisation is also requesting a review of the officers’ response to assess potential mishandling of the case.
The incident comes amid increasing reports of anti-Muslim and anti-Arab discrimination. CAIR reported 8,658 complaints in 2023, the highest annual figure since it began tracking cases in 1996.
Source: Agencies
