MEDIA DIGEST: [UPDATE] Man charged with spray painting anti-Muslim graffiti in Homer Glen
(CHICAGO, IL, 9/18/18) -- The Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, Tuesday, September 18, called for a hate crime investigation of Islamophobic vandalism targeting a Muslim family’s home in Homer Glen, IL, on September 17.
A Muslim physician informed CAIR-Chicago and local law enforcement authorities about a graffiti attack at his elderly parents’ property. The vandalism involved spraying an anti-Muslim message and crosses on the sidewalk and in front of the house, as well as vandalizing the family’s car in the driveway. The obscene sidewalk message read “Muhammed, P**s Be Upon Him.” The vandals also sprayed black paint over the brake lights of the car.
As of Thursday afternoon (9/20/18), a Homer Glen man has been arrested and charged for vandalizing the Muslim family’s home. He is facing five felonies, including hate crime. A statement was released for press this evening by CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab:
“We thank the Sheriff’s office for their professional and swift investigation and the Will County State Attorney’s office for taking this unfortunate incident seriously. Hate crimes are a serious offense that do not only threaten public safety but also cause a victim immense psychological distress. The family ultimately wishes for the rehabilitation of their offender, and our advocating for leniency is not out of the question pending his cooperation to rehabilitate. However, it is imperative that hate crime statutes be fully observed to send a strong message that such acts will carry grave consequences and deter repeat. The safety of the family and other potential victims remains our first priority.”