PRESS STATEMENT: CAIR-Chicago Calls for Hate Crime Probe of Vandalism Targeting Palestinian-American Family in Lockport
- For Immediate Release and Distribution -
(CHICAGO, IL, 10/21/2024) – The Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on law enforcement authorities to investigate a possible bias motive for an act of vandalism targeting a Palestinian-American family in the Lockport neighborhood.
On the morning of Oct. 12, at approximately 2:30 a.m., an unknown individual reportedly drove up to the home of CAIR-Chicago client Lena Mackley (née Al-Loussi) and slashed their Palestinian flag. Unfortunately, no clear picture of the suspect or the vehicle’s license plate was obtained.
In response to the act of hate, the family’s neighbors came together to offer their support.
Mackley said, “Our wonderful neighbors next door repaired our broken flag temporarily with binder clips and gave us beautiful flowers on our porch to remind us that we are not alone in this community and that we are surrounded by allies.”
Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director of CAIR-Chicago, said:
“We strongly condemn this act of anti-Palestinian vandalism. This comes at a time when Palestinian-American families are watching hospitals being bombed, humanitarian aid blocked, civilians starved under siege in Gaza, and the deliberate targeting of refugee tents—burning people alive. It is yet another disturbing reminder of the rising tide of hate and bigotry targeting Palestinian and Arab communities.”
CAIR-Chicago continues to work closely with the authorities to ensure a thorough investigation of this incident. We urge anyone with information about the incident to come forward and contact the Will County Sheriff’s Department.
From January to June 2024, CAIR documented 4,951 incoming bias complaints nationwide, a 69 percent increase over the same period in 2023.
SEE: New CAIR Data Shows Anti-Muslim, Anti-Palestinian Hate Remain Elevated in First Half of 2024
Earlier this year, CAIR’s national office released its 2024 civil rights report, which revealed the highest number of complaints it has ever received in its 30-year history. Titled “Fatal: The Resurgence of Anti-Muslim Hate,” the report documented 8,061 complaints.
Nearly half of all complaints received in 2023 were reported in the final three months of the year.
CAIR-Chicago’s mission is to defend civil rights, fight bigotry, and promote tolerance.
CONTACT: Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director of CAIR-Chicago, 202-870-0166, arehab@cair.com; Maggie Slavin, Operations Manager of CAIR-Chicago, 815-590-3991, mslavin@cair.com; Hafsa Haider, Communications Coordinator of CAIR-Chicago, 561-317-7509, hhaider@cair.com