- For Immediate Release and Distribution -

(CHICAGO, IL, 8/8/24) - The Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago) today expressed disappointment with a sentence of probation for a man who hit and made hateful comments against Palestinian neighbors in Orland Park morning.

Terrence Clyne, 68, pleaded guilty Wednesday to a misdemeanor battery, while a felony hate crime charge was dismissed. According to police, Clyne, punched a male neighbor because of his Palestinian origins. When the man’s wife tried to deescalate the situation, Clyne reportedly made more hateful comments about her Palestinian heritage.

SEE: Orland Park man gets probation after pleading to battery in alleged hate crime.

In January of this year, CAIR-Chicago welcomed a hate crime charge brought against Clyne.

“We are disappointed with this outcome in which a perpetrator of a hate crime gets off easy. It is critical to ensure both appropriate punishment and appropriate deterrence of hate crimes if we are to reverse the disturbing rise in bigotry we see nationwide,” said CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab.

Data released recently by CAIR shows that anti-Palestinian and anti-Muslim bigotry remains elevated in the first half of 2024, just as the civil rights organization logged a record number from October 7, 2023, until the end of the year.

SEE: New CAIR Data Shows Anti-Muslim, Anti-Palestinian Hate Remain Elevated in First Half of 2024.

CAIR-Chicago’s mission is to defend civil rights, fight bigotry, and promote understanding.  

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