
Subject: HOW ABOUT SOME HATE-CRIMES TRIALS?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Written 12:51 pm Feb 18, 1991 by pnmideast in cdp:mideast.forum
 From well!antenna Sun Feb 17 20:40 PST 1991


 Subject: ADC Report on Hate Crimes

           American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee
              4201 Connecticut Ave., NW - Suite 500
                     Washington, DC 20008 USA


 Note to Editors:  The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee
 (ADC) is the largest Arab-American organization in the country.
 It is a service organization dedicated to promoting the civil and
 legal rights of people of Arab descent, including resistance to
 racism, discrimination, and stereotyping of Arab-Americans.  ADC
 has over 25,000 members organized into 70 chapters throughout
 North America.

      For Immediate Release                       Contact: Scott Easton
      February 6, 1991                             PHONE 1-202-244-2990
                                                     FAX 1-202-244-3196

               <FULL TEXT MINUS STATISTICAL CHARTS AND GRAPHS>

           1990 ADC Annual Report on Political and Hate Violence
                            Issued: February 1991


  Introduction

  This is the second in a series of reports documenting political and hate 
violence directed against the Arab-American community. Like the first report 
issued in 1987, the data are based on a computerized log of reports filed 
with the national office of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee 
(ADC). The purpose of this report is to inform, sensitize and alert the 
American public and responsible government officials to the increased 
vulnerability of the Arab-American community to acts of ethnically and 
politically motivated violence.

  ADC is a grassroots civil rights organization that was founded in 1980 by 
former U.S. Senator James Abourezk to defend the rights of Americans of Arab 
descent, and to promote their rich heritage and culture. While stereotyping 
and defamation have plagued most ethnic and minority groups in the United 
States at one time or another, ADC has noted that events in the Middle East 
have a direct and negative impact on acts of violence against Arab-Americans.

  In general, American society has been tolerant and supportive of 
Arab-Americans as an ethnic group. However, a small minority of hate-mongers 
have taken advantage of crises in the Middle East to target Arab-Americans 
for hate crimes and acts of violence. ADC has joined ethnic, religious, 
peace and civil rights groups to speak out against racism and defamation and 
to uphold the political, civil and constitutional rights of all people. Over 
the last ten years, ADC has worked in coalition with these groups to oppose 
manifestations of political violence and hate crimes directed against 
Arab-Americans.

  Unfortunately, the 1990 report comes at a time when violence against the 
Arab-American community is at an all time high. Throughout the crisis in the 
Gulf, which began in August 1990, and since the United States and Iraq went 
to war on January 16, 1991, the number of attacks against Arab-American 
individuals and organizations has spiralled. Arab-Americans have once again 
become a convenient scapegoat for those who seek to vent their fears and 
frustrations about the war. This report is structured to give the reader an 
overview of the climate that breeds anti-Arab hate crimes and to document 
the dramatic increase in these attacks following the crisis in the Gulf.

  Background

  Arab-Americans have long been the targets of stereotyping, defamation and 
hate crimes. Although acts of racism and discrimination occur on a regular 
basis, since its founding, ADC has noted a significant increase in hate 
crimes and violence directed against Arab-Americans whenever the United 
States or its interests are involved in a Middle Eastern crisis.

  ADC first noted this correlation in 1985, following the TWA hijacking in 
Lebanon. As a result of that incident, mosques and community centers across 
the country were vandalized and bombed. In another tragic incident, ADC 
Regional Director Alex Odeh was murdered in his Santa Ana, California office 
at the height of the October 1985 Achille Lauro fiasco. When the U.S. bombed 
Libya in 1986, Arab-American homes and businesses were targeted and Arab 
students were attacked and beaten. And, following reports of the death of 
U.S. hostage Colonel William Higgins in 1989, racist anti-Arab banners 
declaring "Shi'te Hunting Season Opens Today" and "Let's F-16 Beirut" were 
placed over freeways in New York City.

  The occurence of hate crimes in a multi-ethnic society such as the U.S. is 
symptomatic of a larger tendency to reject the unique contributions of 
minority groups and cultures. European immigrants faced these problems in 
the early part of the twentieth century. More recently, Asian and Hispanic 
immigrants have been the visible targets, while other ethnic communities, 
including African-Americans and Native Americans, continue to be victims of 
racism and discrimination. When this racism is coupled with U.S. involvement 
in conflicts overseas, the potential for violent attacks against the 
minority community concerned multiplies. Japanese-Americans were targeted 
and vilified during World War II to the point that they were stripped of 
their constitutional rights and illegally interned in prison camps.

  The growing centrality of the Middle East in world politics and the 
increased political visibility of Arab-Americans have made our community 
more vulnerable. The Arab world has long been perceived in the West in terms 
of a set of negative stereotypes, which have been transferred to Americans 
of Arab descent.

  In 1990, Arab-Americans once again saw events in the Middle East result in 
a violent backlash against their community. The crisis in the Arabian Gulf 
which erupted in August 1990, produced a sharp increase in the level of 
public hostility towards Arabs and Arab-Americans. Following the deployment 
of U.S. troops to the region, anti-Arab violence and crime increased nearly 
a hundred-fold: prior to August 8, ADC logged five incidents of anti-Arab 
hate crimes; in the following months, ADC received more than 40 additional 
reports. Unfortunately, the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and the subsequent U.S. 
military build-up in the Arabian Gulf aroused some individuals to strike out 
against Arabs and Arab-Americans in an effort to avenge the actions of the 
Iraqi government.

  Over the last several years, numerous organizations and individuals have 
begun to recognize and openly condemn anti-Arab racism. Many voices have 
spoken out against anti-Arab bigotry, and the National Council of Churches, 
the United Methodist Church, the Unitarian-Universalist Association, the 
Presbyterian Church and other religious bodies have publicly condemned such 
attacks. Many of these groups have also implemented study programs on Arab 
and Middle Eastern culture, religion and history, and have encouraged their 
congregations to build solidarity with both Arab Christians and Arab Muslims.

  Churches and other organizations spoke out in 1990. Scores of Christian, 
Jewish, peace, human rights and ethnic organizations and leaders signed a 
statement of concern about anti-Arab bigotry and violence circulated by ADC. 
This appeal awakened an especially strong and widespread response, and 
garnered the support of several groups who had not previously addressed the 
issue. A number of organizations made a point of publicizing ADC's appeal 
and mobilizing their networks to add their own response, issuing press 
releases and statements condemning anti-Arab bigotry. The U.S. press gave an 
unprecedented level of attention to the anti-Arab backlash to the Gulf 
crisis, as evidenced by an editorial in the New York Times and a syndicated 
column by Coretta Scott King, the widow of slain civil rights leader Dr. 
Martin Luther King, Jr.

  During a gathering of several hundred Arab-American leaders and the press 
on September 24, 1990, President Bush forcefully condemned anti-Arab hate 
crimes and discrimination, and said:

  
 "Today some Americans are the victims of appalling acts of
 hatred. And this is a sad irony that while our brave soldiers
 are fighting aggression overseas, a few hate-mongers here at
 home are perpetrating their own brand of cowardly aggression.
 Death threats, physical attacks, vandalism, religious violence
 and discrimination against Arab-Americans must end. These hate
 crimes have no place in a free society and we are not going to
 stand for them."


  In February 1990, Congress passed a bill requiring the Justice Department 
to collect annual statistics on hate crimes, thus allowing legislators and 
law enforcement agencies to assess the scope of the problem and plan 
effective countermeasures. This legislation defines a hate crime as an 
assault on a person or property which "manifests prejudice" regarding race, 
religion, sexual orientation or ethnicity. It is an important step forward 
in recognizing and eliminating hate crimes. The Justice Department has set 
up a special hotline for the public to use in reporting hate crimes. The 
number is (800) 347-HATE.

  Over the last five years, ADC has held meetings with Justice Department 
and FBI officials to urge them to vigorously pursue hate crimes directed 
against Arab-Americans. Unfortunately, however, we have also found that 
these same law enforcement agencies occasionally engage in discriminatory 
actions against Arab-Americans. In 1987, seven Palestinians and one Kenyan 
(the "LA 8") were arrested in Los Angeles and publicly labelled a terrorist 
threat. In fact, they were engaged in legitimate political activities 
protected by the First Amendment. During court proceedings for the "LA 8", a 
Justice Department contingency plan was revealed, which provided a blueprint 
for the mass arrest of thousands of Middle Eastern residents of the U.S. The 
plan also included provisions for their detention in camps in Louisiana and 
Florida and their possible deportation.

  In addition, a 1990 report by the U.S. General Accounting Office indicates 
that the FBI has engaged in surveillance of Arab, Muslim and other ethnic 
organizations which have been engaged only in legitimate political 
activities protected by the First Amendment.

  Even as this report goes to press, the FBI is questioning over 200 hundred 
Arab-American community leaders regarding their political views and their 
knowledge of possible terrorist threats in the U.S. ADC is disturbed by what 
appear to be "fishing expeditions" into the personal and political lives of 
Arab-Americans. ADC also objects to the FBI's assumption that 
Arab-Americans, by virtue of their ethnicity, would have special knowledge 
of or contacts with any terrorist activity. This policy serves to stigmatize 
the community and gives the impression that Arab-Americans are a "suspect" 
class, thereby providing those who wish the community harm justification for 
their hostility and acts of violence.

  In addition, Palestinian and Lebanese political activists and organizers 
in the peace movement report that they are under surveillance by the FBI. 
Such actions are viewed as an attempt to "chill" the legitimate political 
activities of U.S. citizens and residents. It is a disturbing paradox that 
the overzealous policies designed to prevent terrorist attacks are directed 
in an indiscriminate manner against a community which is itself the victim 
of hate crimes.

  ADC has raised these issues in meetings with the FBI and elected 
officials, seeking an end to such practices and requesting congressional 
hearings to review these "investigations." Arab-Americans look to law 
enforcement agencies to protect their lives, property and civil liberties. 
They should not have to fear that these same agencies may infringe on their 
right to free exercise of political speech and activity, as guaranteed in 
the American Constitution.

  Discussion of Report

  This listing of hate crimes has been compiled from cases reported to ADC 
which we believe fall under the Justice Department description of "hate 
crimes," including physical assaults against individuals or groups, 
vandalism and destruction of property and harassment, intimidation and 
threats. This log is representative, but is by no means comprehensive, since 
many cases do not come to our attention or are never reported at all due to 
the unfortunate reality that many victims fear further repercussion. Most 
incidents were reported directly by the victims, some from second parties 
such as an ADC chapter contact and others from press reports.

  This log does not include the innumerable reports received of 
discrimination in employment, housing, education and airline travel. Nor 
does it include the endless series of negative stereotypes of Arabs in the 
media. These are long-standing problems which ADC deals with on a daily 
basis. It should also be noted that since the Gulf crisis, ADC has received 
an increase in such reports, including anti-Arab slurs by radio talk shows 
and disc jockeys. These slurs help to create an atmosphere which encourages 
and provides spurious "legitimization" for anti-Arab violence.

  Also not included are commercial attempts to capitalize on anti-Arab 
hostility. Recently this has included advertisements with negative images of 
Arabs and the marketing of products such as T-shirts with rifle cross-hairs 
superimposed on an Arab figure on a camel and the slogan "I'd fly 10,000 
miles to smoke (military jargon meaning `to destroy') a camel."

                    HATE CRIMES CHRONOLOGY

  January-March 1990 - Flint, MI: Arab-American organizations and leaders 
continue to receive death threats, which have continued for years. (The 
perpetrator was arrested later in the year, pleaded guilty and in November 
was sentenced to 6 month incarceration, 3 years probation and a $2000 fine.)

  3/29/90 - Quincy, MA: Islamic Center of New England was the target of an 
arson attack. Damage amounted to a half million dollars. (Incident occurred 
shortly after an American missionary from Massachusetts was killed in 
Lebanon.)

  5/18/90 - Washington, D.C.: ADC received call from a psychologically 
disturbed person from California who delivered a threatening and disjointed 
"message from the Jews to the Arabs." Several days later he sent a 
threatening telegram.

  7/90 - Dallas, TX: Arab-American received hate call after publishing a 
letter to the editor. The caller used the epithet "Arab pig" and hung up. 
The same person has called after previous letters were published in the 
press.

  08/08/90 - Los Angeles, CA: ADC office received a threatening and highly 
offensive message on the phone machine.

  08/09/90 - Cincinnati, OH: Arab-American family restaurant received two 
phone threats. Caller stated: "If they go to war, a bomb will be put in your 
restaurant." After the war began in January 1991, there were additional 
threats and another Arab-American store was fire bombed on two separate 
occasions.

  08/14/90 - San Francisco, CA: ADC activist received a letter threatening 
his life and his children's due to a newspaper interview he gave to a local 
paper on the Iraq-Kuwait conflict.

  08/14/90 - Santa Ana, CA: A prominent Arab-American walked a visitor to 
his car about midnight and found a Star of David spray-painted on the car.

  08/15/90 - Dearborn, Ml: Arab-American newspaper reporter received a phone 
message from a male caller stating "I want to leave a message for Mr. --, I 
will kill you if the Americans in Kuwait are hurt." The FBI was contacted 
and is investigating the case.

  08/15/90 - Gaithersburg, MD: Iranian-American family mistaken as Arabs 
reported that they were attacked and beaten by members of a road crew. The 
father received a fractured skull and is partially paralyzed. One of the 
attackers was quoted as saying "I want to kill these foreigners to teach 
them a lesson about complaining in our country."

  08/22/90 - Albuquerque, NM: Two Arab-Americans who were interviewed by a 
local newspaper received threatening notes and a rash of abusive and 
threatening calls numbering nearly 100. Reports were made to the police and 
the FBI. Reporter indicated that as a result many other Arab-Americans were 
afraid to talk or give their names to the media.

  08/22/90 - Columbus, OH: Arab-American received call on answering machine 
with vile language cautioning him to watch over his shoulder as he was going 
to be the next hostage. Copy of tape was given to law enforcement officials 
for investigation.

  08/22/90 Orange County, CA: Arab manager of gas station received a call 
from a woman who called him, erroneously, an Iraqi and said she would burn 
down his place.

  08/22/90 - Chicago, IL: A young Palestinian was struck in a market and 
told to go back to Iraq.

  08/23/90 - Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported that an 
Arab-American family filed a lawsuit against their neighbors who had 
harassed and threatened them because of their national origin. The incidents 
included the throwing of stink bombs in their yard at 1:30 a.m., "turfing" 
the family's lawn and a steady diet of threats and racial epithets. The 
family was forced to sell their home and move.

  08/23/90 - Herndon, VA: A bomb threat was received at an office building 
housing several organizations affiliated with an Islamic charitable 
foundation. The caller stated, "This is an Arab-owned building. You'd better 
get your people out - we're going to blow it up."

  08/24/90 - New York, NY: Gang of ten young men approached a male rider in 
the New York subway on Second Avenue about 3:00 a.m. and asked in a 
threatening fashion if he was an Arab. The victim was then attacked and 
beaten, causing him to run off the train at the next stop. He was followed 
by the gang. The conductor called the police after being informed by 
witnesses on the train.

  08/24/90 - Charlestown, MA: The Boston Globe reported that an 
Arab-American was threatened and taunted by neighbors and told to move out 
of his residence or "he will die." The landlord was also threatened if she 
did not "kick that Arab out." An anonymous letter writer threatened to burn 
down the building. The writer made reference to the tenant being an Arab and 
the writer's son being in the U.S. Army "fighting the Saudis." (sic) The 
Arab-American moved out in 24 hours and now floats from one friend's house 
to another. The Boston Globe has also reported that other Arabs in Boston 
and New Hampshire have experienced incidents of harassment and anti-Arab 
jibes.

  08/28/90 - Los Angeles, CA: The ADC regional office received two calls 
from different individuals who used profane language and told the staff 
person to "go back home."

  08/30/90 - Washington, D.C.: Bomb threat called into the National Office 
of ADC by a man claiming, "There is a bomb in your building...37 minutes."

  08/30/90 - Missouri: Arab-American who wrote an article on the Gulf crisis 
for a local newspaper reported that he received a hostile phone call from a 
woman who stated, "You belong to Iraq or Iran. I don't care where you go but 
get out of this country. You don't belong here."

  09/2/90 - Houston, TX: Arab-American talk show host received package which 
contained a fake bomb of cigars in cases wired to a small clock. A note was 
attached saying, "....have a good cigar and don't be late for the show." The 
bomb squad evacuated the building and determined it to be a threatening hoax.

  09/04/90 - Augusta, GA: The President of the local Islamic Society 
reported that he received a call threatening his life if he did not stop his 
public statements.

  09/06/90 - Kansas City, MO: Politically active Palestinian family reported 
that two shots were fired at their car from a .22 caliber weapon. The family 
had previously received repeated phone calls threatening the wife with 
kidnapping. She was told to be careful when she opened her door. For three 
nights a car with two men in it was parked across the street from their 
home. The family had previously won a lawsuit imposing a $10,000 fine on 
Rabbi Meir Kahane, founder of the Jewish Defense League, which has been 
described by the FBI as a "terrorist organization."

  09/08/90 - Patterson, NJ: After receiving death threats, an Arab 
businessman withdrew his offer to pay $500 to anyone who named their newborn 
child "Saddam." The death threats included a copy of a news story about his 
$500 offer with a red X across his picture and the word "DEAD" in bold red 
letters.

  09/10/90 - Indiana, PA: Arab-American who made TV comment about Gulf 
crisis reported 6-7 harassing calls. Callers insulted Arabs and stated "We 
will get you," and "Go back to your country." On the same day, a stone was 
thrown through his window.

  09/14/90 Toledo, OH: A Palestinian student reported that while he was 
waiting at a bus station, he was approached by six men, who asked if he was 
an Arab and where he was from. The group's manner was quite menacing and 
they said that they intended to beat him up. He managed to reason with them, 
then took refuge in the station security office.

  09/26/90 Dallas, TX: Arab-American who has published op-ed articles in the 
local press reported that he had received a death threat in mail. The note 
read: "FUTURE HEADLINES OF THE STAR-TELEGRAM: `-- -- found in his burning 
car this morning. Police suspect a bomb was planted under the hood of his 
car by someone who finds his opinions invalid.' Or, `Police discover body of 
a man and a woman in an apartment at -- Ave. The man, who had been nailed to 
the floor, was identified as -- --.'"

  10/02/90 - Houston, TX: ADC member reported that the owner of the "Baghdad 
Carpet" store has received hostile phone calls and letters, including a bomb 
threat. He was told to "change the name of your business." The owner is 
Armenian.

  10/03/90 - Houston, TX: ADC member reported that an Arab-American woman 
recently received hate mail. She had been receiving "horrible" calls every 
3-4 weeks since she was on the radio in May. Also: An Arab-American home was 
littered with toilet paper and splattered with raw eggs. Also: The press 
reported that a Saudi couple was beaten at Sharpestown Mall. They protested 
that they were Saudis. An attacker stated, "We don't care. You're Arab."

  10/18/90 - Gaithersburg, MD: Palestinian-American family reported 
harassment and vandalism for the past two months, apparently from hostile 
neighbors. Car tires were slashed and eggs were thrown at the house. Family 
property on the porch was broken. They received numerous phone calls where 
the caller just hung up. One caller asked for the husband by name, claimed 
to be with the Immigration and Naturalization Service, stated that "You have 
48 hours to leave the U.S. because you are from Iraq," and hung up. A 
neighborhood woman who spoke to her in a friendly way at a bus stop had her 
car windows smashed. The wife states that "I feel like a stranger in my own 
home. We have been in the U.S. since 1972 and never experienced anything 
like this. I can't believe that this is happening to me."

  10/19/90 - Madison, WI: Arab-American activist reported three bomb threats 
attempting to disrupt his talk at the University of Wisconsin criticizing 
U.S. intervention in the Gulf.

  10/22/90 - San Diego, CA: American-born grocery store owner of Iraqi 
descent reported that the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, Local 
135, has circulated a flier associating him with Saddam Hussein in an 
attempt to mobilize anti-Saddam/Iraq sentiment against him. The owner is 
accused of "holding his employees hostage." The flier states that 
negotiating with the owner is "like negotiating with Saddam Hussein" and 
features a photo of Saddam. The union is attempting to organize workers at 
the grocery. The San Diego press also reported that a "rowdy" stomped on a 
Saudi Arabian flag hanging in one of the owner's stores.

  11/19/90 - Chicago, IL: Bogus letter threatening Arab students at 
University of Illinois at Chicago and purportedly signed by the university 
president. Letter was sent to human rights organization supporting 
Palestinian rights after it held a campus event. Letter makes reference to 
"Jewish storm troopers" and the JDL.

  11/28/90 - Houston, TX: ADC member reported that an Arab-American 
association and a restaurant have received hostile phone calls recently. In 
another incident a rabbi and two other men entered an Arab-American business 
with the apparent intention of beating him up. The store owner drew a gun to 
defend himself and frightened them away.

  12/05/90 - New York, NY: The press reported threats against supporters of 
Palestinian rights. An unsigned letter mentioning the "Kach Underground 
Movement" threatened retaliations for the death of Rabbi Meir Kahane, 
founder of the Jewish Defense League the right-wing Israeli extremist Kach 
Party. The threats targeted both Arab-Americans and Jewish leaders who have 
been critical of Israeli policies.

  12/10/90 - Falls Church, VA: Arab-American reported harassing calls and 
letters. His last name is Hussein (a very common Arabic name) and he is 
identified with Saddam Hussein (no relation). He has received "many, many 
calls, day and night." Calls included threats on his life and threats to 
blow up his house.

  12/90 - Portland, OR: Just before Christmas, two Kuwaitis were beaten up 
at a shopping mall. Incident witnessed by several Arab-Americans. Motive was 
apparently anger that Kuwaitis were out shopping, while American troops were 
in the desert protecting them.

  12/30/90 - Scranton, PA: Arab-American couple received harassing and 
"very, very scary" phone message at 11:30 p.m. The call was a tape recorded 
message featuring two voices - one angry and accusing the other of hatred of 
Jews, the other pleading and denying such sentiments. The couple's phone 
number is unlisted, but they recently attended a public meeting on the Gulf 
crisis and were seen there by recognized members of a Zionist organization.

  1/1/91 - small town, Michigan: Vandalism: During the night of January 1, 
1991, a person threw a rock through the window of a house owned by an 
Arab-American family.

  1/4/91 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Unauthorized entry: Two editors of a campus 
newspaper at the University of Wisconsin were caught at 1:00 a.m. by campus 
security officers in the offices of an Arab-American organization. Records 
in the office were later found to be in disarray.

  1/5/91 - Richmond, Virginia: Threatening telephone call: An Arab-American 
activist received a call the day after he took part in a peace rally. The 
caller threatened, "Stop supporting Saddam or we will blow your house up."

  1/10/91 - San Francisco area, California: Assault and battery: The San 
Francisco Chronicle reported that a Kuwaiti was beaten while delivering a 
pizza on Haight Street.

  1/11/91 - San Diego, California: Attempted bombing: The American Muslim 
Council reported that an incendiary device was planted in the building 
housing the Islamic Society of San Diego, short-circuiting power but not 
igniting. Nobody was injured.

  1/11/91 - Portland, Oregon: Harassing telephone calls: An Arab-American 
family received obscene and harassing telephone calls. The caller demanded 
that victims, "Go back to Arab land." The caller also telephoned then hung 
up when the phone was answered.

  1/11/91 - Cleveland, Ohio: Threatening telephone call: An Arab-American 
activist received a telephone call containing this threat: "This is John 
from the Aryan People. If any attacks are made on this country, you people 
are all going to pay. Do you understand?"

  1/11/91 - Baltimore, Maryland: Assault: Four or five drunken men verbally 
assaulted a man calling him a "Filthy Arab! Arab pig!" and shouted 
obscenities. The man was a Polynesian Jew.

  1/12/91 - Fremont, California: Harassing statements: The San Jose Mercury 
News reported that a man in a grocery store ordered a American originally 
from India who was wearing a traditional Sikh headdress to, "Go back home, 
you damned Iraqi!"

  1/12/91 (approximately) Dearborn, Michigan: Bomb threat: The Detroit Free 
Press reported that a bomb threat was telephoned to Fordson High School, 
where approximately 50% of the students are of Arab descent. The Fordson 
basketball team reports ethnic hostility at games: "Go back to Saudi Arabia. 
You are not wanted here!"

  1/14/91 - New York, New York: Threatening telephone call: A caller gave 
the name and address of the Arab-American who received the call, and then 
threatened, "You will die within 48 hours. I am very sorry --, but you are a 
DEAD man!"

  1/14/91 and preceding days - small town in Pennsylvania: Harassment in 
school: Iraqi-American children are harassed often in school by faculty and 
students. The harassment includes mention of internment camps and statements 
that the Americans should kill all of the Iraqis.

  [WAR BEGINS]

  1/16/91 - Atlanta, Georgia: Harassing telephone call: An Arab-American 
family received a telephone call in which the caller said, "Hello. You are a 
mother-! Get out of the country." The next day, they received two additional 
calls with the simple message: "Get out."

  1/16/91 - Chicago, Illinois: Employment Harassment: While the United 
States began offensive operations against Iraq, the supervisor of an 
Arab-American security guard at a food manufacturing company called and 
informed him that the company wanted him fired from his position, "because 
he might do something." When he reported to work the next day, the 
Arab-American security guard was ordered to leave the premises because he 
was trespassing.

  1/16/91 - Los Angeles, California: Harassment: A disc jockey discussing 
the FBI questioning of Arab-American business and community leaders advised 
listeners to report to the authorities if they saw an Arab-American doing 
anything suspicious.

  1/17/91 - Cincinnati, Ohio: Bombing: An incendiary device was used to bomb 
a grocery store owned and managed by Arab-Americans. This was the second 
blast at the store in a week. The local FBI does not believe that the 
bombing is related to anti-Arab backlash, but has declined to explain the 
reasons for its belief. A local newspaper estimated damages at $15,000.

  1/17/91 - Detroit, Michigan: Shooting threat: A person called the office 
of an Arab-American organization and threatened that he would be coming to 
the office with a high-powered rifle.

  1/17/91 - Tampa Bay, Florida: Threatening letter: A threatening letter 
with the following message was attached to the front door of four stores 
owned by Arab-Americans: "WARNING. Dear owner: for your own safty [sic] you 
shoud [sic] close your store for 2 or 3 days before something bad might 
happens [sic] and you will not like it. Take this as a warrning [sic]." 
Though requested to do so, both the Tampa Bay police and the FBI refused to 
record the incident.

  1/17/91 - Providence, Rhode Island: Harassing letter: A harassing letter 
was sent to an Arab-American: "You are nothing but a traitor to your 
country. Go back to Syria where you belong before you get hurt!"

  1/17/91 - Syracuse, New York: Threatening telephone call: A woman called 
an elderly Arab-American woman and warned, "You are going to get it," and 
concluded the call with an ominous laugh. The caller is believed to have 
made harassing telephone calls to other Arab-Americans.

  1/17/91 - Fort Worth, Texas: Vandalism: The American Muslim Council 
reported that the windows of the Islamic Society were smashed.

  1/17/91 - Fort Worth, Texas: Threatening telephone calls: The American 
Muslim Council reported that a restaurant owner received threatening 
telephone calls.

  1/17/91 - Northbrook, Illinois: Bomb scare: The American Muslim Council 
reported that prayers for peace were interrupted by a telephone bomb threat. 
The community's Imam has moved out of his apartment for safety.

  1/17/91 - Providence, Rhode Island: Threatening letter: An Arab-American 
activist received a threatening letter: "You are nothing but a traitor to 
your country. Go back to [your country of origin] before you get hurt."

  1/17/91 - St. Petersburg, Florida: Threatening telephone calls: An 
Arab-American grocery store received calls in which the caller threatened to 
burn the store down. Rumors of a boycott of the store abound.

  1/17/91 - Washington, D.C.: Threatening telephone calls: An Arab-American 
organization received six threatening and harassing telephone calls.

  1/17/91 (approximately) - San Jose, California: Bomb scare: The San Jose 
Mercury News reported that a person issued a bomb threat against the Islamic 
Education and Information Center of San Jose and shouted racial epitaphs at 
children wearing traditional Arabic garb, prompting the center to cancel 
religious classes.

  1/17/91 Detroit, Michigan: Shooting: The mayor of Detroit, Coleman Young, 
stated that a Chaldean (Iraqi Christian) party store owner reported that two 
individuals in combat fatigues opened fire on him as he approached his 
business.

  1/17/91 (approximately) San Jose, California: Threatening telephone calls: 
The San Jose Mercury News reported that a caller left hate messages on the 
answering machine of the Silicon Valley Congress of Arab Americans: "If you 
. . . are going to live here, you ought to keep your mouths shut." "You 
don't belong here. Don't call yourselves Arab AMERICANS."

  1/18/91 - Tulsa, Oklahoma: Harassment: A person detonated firecrackers in
a garbage can and burned holes in a rug on the porch of an Arab-American 
household.

  1/18/91 - Tulsa, Oklahoma: Vandalism: The American Muslim Council reported 
that evening prayers were interrupted by rocks thrown through windows.

  1/18/91 - Tulsa, Oklahoma: Shooting: The American Muslim Council reported 
that shots were fired at the home of a Muslim businessman.

  1/18/91 - Tulsa, Oklahoma: Vandalism: The American Muslim Council reported 
that a Muslim school was vandalized and money was stolen. An American flag 
was left behind at the school.

  1/18/91 - Detroit, Michigan: Threats and violence: The mayor of Detroit, 
Coleman Young, stated that since the beginning of the war, the Detroit 
Police Department has recorded dozens of reports of threatened bombings or 
other violence aimed at businesses whose owners are of Middle East descent. 
He said that there have been numerous bomb threats and other threats related 
to the war.

  1/18/91 - Wooster, Massachusetts: Threatening telephone call: An 
Arab-American received a telephone call: "Go Israel. Death to Palestinians."

  1/18/91 (approximately) - Massachusetts: Employment harassment: FBI agents 
interrogated an Arab-American after they received an anonymous tip that he 
would commit a heinous act of terrorism at the utility which employed him. 
The agents satisfied themselves that the tip was false, but the 
Arab-American's job is in jeopardy and the Arab-American is taunted daily at 
work about his ethnicity.

  1/18/91 - Atlanta, Georgia: Harassing telephone call: An Arab-American 
family received three harassing telephone calls between 2:30 a.m. and 3:00 
a.m. The caller uttered obscenities and said,"Are you happy with what you 
have done to Israel? Why don't you go back and be with your Saddam Hussein?"

  1/19/91 - Washington, D.C.: Harassment: At least two buckets of white wash 
were dumped from the roof of a building on a group of Arab-Americans who, 
with 25,000 other Americans, were marching to protest against the war in the 
Gulf.

  1/20/91 - Washington, D.C.: Police harassment: A permanent resident from 
Egypt was stopped by a police officer for stopping his car in a no-standing 
area. The police officer, upon discovering a suspended driver's license, 
immediately hand-cuffed the man and said, "You are under arrest. You are my 
P.O.W." He ridiculed the Egyptian to passers by: "Does this guy look like an 
Iraqi or an Egyptian? Do you believe he is not a terrorist?"

  1/20/91 - New Haven, Connecticut: Harassment: A group of Arab-Americans 
discussed activities of their Arab-American organization in a restaurant. As 
each member of the group left the restaurant, he or she was photographed 
from three different angles simultaneously by three persons who had 
patronized the restaurant.

  1/21/91 - Blissfield, Michigan: Arson: A restaurant owned by an 
Arab-American was set ablaze in the middle of the night causing 
$250,000-$500,000 damage. The fire department indicated that the fire was 
caused by arson. A few days before the blaze, vandals had spray-painted on 
the side of the restaurant: "U.S.A. No. 1!"

  1/21/91 - near Dearborn, Michigan: Assault and battery: Two Arab-American 
gas station attendants were attacked at their gas station by four men who 
heard them conversing in Arabic. One of the Arab-Americans received injuries 
requiring eight stitches as a result of the attack. The attackers uttered, 
"You dumb Iraqis!" as they prepared to attack.

  1/21/91 - Washington D.C. area Employment harassment: A person with a 
grudge made a false report to the FBI that an Arab- American would commit an 
act of terrorism. The Arab-American now fears that he will lose his job 
because he has work requires a security clearance.

  1/21/91 - Lakeland, Florida: Bombing: The Washington Post reported that a 
pipe bomb exploded at the garage door of a family believed to be Iraqi. The 
family, actually from India, had received a threatening telephone call 
one-half hour before the blast. There were no injuries or property damage.

  1/23/91 - Washington, D.C.: Harassing telephone call: An Arab-American 
charity received a telephone call in which the caller stated, "This is for 
the Palestinians," then shouted obscenities.

  1/23/91 - Los Angeles, California: Arson: A delicatessen owned by an 
Arab-American was set ablaze. The police suspect arson. Graffiti scrawled on 
the wall of the deli read: "You *!!* Arab, go home!"

  (undated) - Indianapolis, Indiana: Bomb scare: The American Muslim Council 
reported on January 24 that the Islamic Society of North America had 
received a bomb threat.

  1/24/91 - San Francisco, California: Vandalism: The San Jose Mercury News 
reported that the front windows of four Arab- American-owned food stores 
were smashed. The vandals hurled batteries and a fire extinguisher through 
the plate glass.

  1/24/91 - Lancaster, Pennsylvania: Threatening letter: The day after local 
television stations reported several instances of threats against 
Arab-Americans, an Arab-American received a letter at work containing a 
death threat.

  1/25/91 - small town in Tennessee: Employment harassment: An Arab-American 
reports that at work, posters, including one with the phrase "I'd fly 10,000 
miles to smoke a camel" proliferate. One employee suggested putting the 
Arab-American's picture over the picture of Saddam Hussein in one 
anti-Saddam Hussein poster. When he complained of harassment to his 
supervisor, the Arab-American was shown the door.

  1/25/91 (approximately) small town in Texas: Threatening telephone calls: 
Arab-American family received three telephone calls beginning at 2:00 a.m. 
in which the caller threatened to shoot them to death.

  1/26/91 - Washington, D.C.: Threatening telephone call: A caller 
threatened an Arab-American, "I'm going to send you to Louisiana," then hung 
up. The reference is to an INS detention camp maintained in Oakdale, 
Louisiana.

  1/27/91 - North Bergen, New Jersey: Assault: A woman wearing a Muslim 
headdress was attacked by three other women in a department store.

  1/27/91 - Louisville, Kentucky: Threatening telephone call: An 
Arab-American received a telephone call threatening, ~"You will be gone 
within two weeks!" The next day, he received an obscene call.

  1/27/91 - Queens, New York: Assault and battery: New York City police 
reported that a Pakistani man was assaulted and repeatedly beaten by four 
men who called him an "Arab terrorist." He was not seriously injured.

  1/28/91 - Washington, D.C.: Assault and robbery: At the campus of George 
Washington University in downtown Washington, D.C., five students attacked 
an Arab-American student. They pushed him, shouted, "! you, Arab. You people 
are the cause of all problems," and ran off with his book bag.

  1/29/91 (approximately) - Detroit, Michigan: Arson: A grocery and wine 
store owned by an Arab-American was set ablaze and looted. The owner of the 
store was known to have extended credit to his neighbors.

  1/30/91 - San Diego, California: Bomb scare: A bomb scare was called in to 
disrupt a lecture to be given by Dr. Edward Said at the University of 
California at San Diego.

  2/2/91 - small town in Texas: Harassment: An Arab-American couple are 
repeatedly harassed in public places by a person who loudly declares that 
the are terrorists and Hitler who "should go back to Saddam." The harasser 
threatens to report them to the FBI.

  2/2/91 (approximately) Dearborn, Michigan: Vandalism: Anti-Arab slogans 
were scrawled on the walls of a business owned by an Arab-American. 


   A STATEMENT OF CONCERN

  We view with concern reports that the crisis in the Persian Gulf is 
creating a backlash against Arab-Americans. Threats have been made against 
Arab-American organizations and individuals who have spoken publicly about 
the issue. Inflammatory and bigoted remarks on talk shows and call-in radio 
programs are helping to create a climate of opinion conducive to anti-Arab 
racism and violence.

  Previous Middle East crises, especially those involving U.S. military 
action or threats to American lives, resulted in a surge in public hostility 
directed against Arabs and Muslims -- death threats, beatings, vandalism 
against homes, businesses and mosques, even bombings of mosques and 
community centers. Such incidents led several national churches to respond 
with statements and resolutions expressing their concern.

  We appeal to our fellow citizens to not let anger at the actions of the 
Iraqi government be transformed into a generalized hostility against Arabs 
and Arab-Americans - or even against all Iraqis or Iraqi Americans, who are 
not responsible for the actions of the Iraqi government which initiated the 
hostilities. In fact, Arab-Americans' relatives and friends in the Middle 
East are especially endangered by the conflict.

  We appeal to our elected officials and other opinion makers to refrain 
from appeals to bigoted or racist attitudes and stereotypes. Demagogic 
rhetoric could only worsen the situation for both Arabs and Americans.

  Furthermore, we urge public officials and law enforcement agencies to be 
scrupulous in honoring the civil liberties of both Arab-Americans and Arab 
nationals visiting the U.S.

    <partial listing of signers>

 American Civil Liberties Union, Ira Glasser
 American Friends Service Committee
 American-Israeli Civil Liberties Coalition
 Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America
 Episcopal Peace Fellowship Evangelicals for Social Action
 Irish National Caucus
 Japanese American Citizens League
 Lutheran Human Relations Association of America
 National Assembly of Religious Women
 National Conference of Black Lawyers
 National Council of Churches
 National Council of La Raza
 Reformed Church in America
 Young Women's Christian Association of the USA
 Ygal Arens
 Robert Z. Alpern, Unitarian-Universalist Association*
 James E. Andrews, Presbyterian Church (USA)*
 Rabbi Leonard I. Beerman, Leo Baeck Temple*, Los Angeles
 William Sloane Coffin
 Henry Der, Chinese for Affirmative Action*
 Deborah Evanson, National Lawyers Guild*
 Rabbi Marc A. Gruber, Westbury NY.
 Bishop Thomas G. Gumbleton, Archdiocese of Detroit*
 Arthur Hertzberg
 Rabbi Burt Jacobson, Kehilla Community Synagogue*, Oakland
 William Johnston, Episcopal Church People for a Free Southern Africa*
 Coretta Scott King
 Myron B. Kuropas, Ukrainian-American Justice Committee*
 John A. Lapp, Mennonite Central Committee*
 Benjamin Spock Sr.
 Mary Luke Tobin, S.L., Sisters of Loretto*
 Joe Volk, Friends Committee on National Legislation*
 Bishop C. Dale White, United Methodist Church*
 Rabbi Arnold Jacob Wolf, KAM Isaiah Israel*, Chicago
 Sr. Patricia Wolf, Sisters of Mercy of the Union*

 * Organizations listed for purposes of identification only


 Source: Peacenet Via New York Transfer News 718-448-2358, 718-448-2683
---
[ This file has travelled through the Socialism OnLine! BBS
  at +1-203-274-4639, 24 hours, 300-9600 bps HST/MNP/V42bis,
  on its way to you, the reader of this file.  Please share
  any information you have about "big brother."  Venceremos! ]



