Muslim community protests woman's arrest (Greensboro, NC)

News 14 Carolina ^ | 11/8/2004 | Associated Press

[mykdsmom]

(GREENSBORO) - Greensboro's Muslim community wants an apology from a police officer who they say broke the shoulder of a 68-year-old Egyptian-American woman.

Afaf Saudi, who's accused of resisting police officers and assaulting an employee of a Wal-Mart store on Saturday, also suffered a broken rib, a mild heart attack and cuts and bruises on her wrists. She remains in Moses Cone Hospital awaiting shoulder surgery.

Wajeh Muhammad, treasurer of the Islamic Center of the Triad, wants the city to pay for the woman's medical bills and for the officer responsible to issue an apology in a language she can understand. Saudi, a naturalized citizen who has lived in America for 12 years, doesn't speak English.

A police department spokesman says initial reports show the officer did nothing improper.

Meanwhile, Saudi's son says his mother is afraid to eat hospital food because she's worried she'll be poisoned.

[rockabyebaby]

"Oh where to even begin on this?"

LMAO, I'm with you, soooooooooooooo many comments, sooooo little time!

[Repub4bush]

I know most of the Greensboro PD! I know all the Captains, and the new Chief. The GPD rocks! My brother was one of these wonderful guys until his tragic death in 2001!

These guys have to deal with a lot of misguided lawsuits. It is ashame when law enforcement officers have to walk on egg shells!

[Howlin]

One of the most prominent Jewish families in Greensboro; you couldn't find a more wonderful group of people.

[cavtrooper21]

Wonder why she assulted the W-mart employee?
Shoplifting?
Tried to defraud the store and got called out by a manager?

[lilylangtree]

Lived here for 12 years and doesn't speak English plus she resisted arrest and assaulted a Wal-Mart employee? Sheesh! Deport the idiot back to Egypt.

[orionblamblam]

> Moses Cone Hospital ...

"Moses Cone?" Is this some sorta euphemism?

[all4one]

Looks like the AP article didn't mention a few items that were reported in the local Greensboro, NC article:

Saudi's family and police officers agree only on this much: About 3 p.m. Saturday, Saudi was in the checkout line at Wal-Mart.

Police say she became irate and refused to leave the store, as Wal-Mart employees demanded. Saudi's arrest report says she kicked an assistant manager in the chest. Gunn said Saudi also resisted Neal's attempt to remove her from the floor.

"She was dead weight," he said. "She fell on the floor."

Saudi was charged with resisting police officers, assaulting a Wal-Mart employee and refusing to leave the store. Her court hearing is set for 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 6.

Helmi said his mother tells a different story: While shopping, she forgot where she left her shopping cart and pocketbook. She eventually found them and headed for the checkout line, then discovered $150 missing from her purse.

She told Helmi she was embarrassed and confused -- unable to pay her bill or even tell the clerk why she was upset. She claims people began laughing, which upset her more.

[mykdsmom]

More information found here.

[montomike]

I've had hospital food and I thought it was poison!

[Constitution Day]

Article from Durham Herald-Sun:

---

Greensboro Muslim leaders demand apology after woman's arrest

The Associated Press
November 8, 2004 9:45 am

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Local Muslim leaders have demanded an apology for an Egyptian-American woman who suffered a broken shoulder and a mild heart attack when she was arrested at a Wal-Mart.

Afaf Saudi, 68, a naturalized U.S. citizen who has lived in America for 12 years, was charged over the weekend with resisting police officers and assaulting a store employee.

She suffered a broken shoulder and rib, a mild heart attack and cuts and bruises on her wrists, the News & Record of Greensboro reported Monday. She was in Moses Cone Hospital on Sunday awaiting surgery. A hospital spokesman couldn't immediately give a condition update Monday.

Wajeh Muhammad, treasurer of the Islamic Center of the Triad, wants the city to pay for her medical bills and the officer responsible to issue an apology.

"We're not going to let something like this go away," he said. "This is not what the Greensboro Police Department stands for."

Guilford County's Muslim community was estimated at 3,600 in 2002.

Initial reports show the officer did nothing improper, said Sgt. J.P. Gunn, a department spokesman. He said the department will investigate, as in all cases in which suspects are injured. The officer, R.R. Neal Jr., remains assigned to his regular duties, Gunn said.

The arrest comes during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Saudi was in the checkout line at Wal-Mart on Saturday afternoon when, police say, she became irate and refused store employees' request that she leave.

The arrest report said she kicked an assistant manager in the chest. Gunn said Saudi also resisted Neal's attempt to remove her from the floor.

"She was dead weight," he said. "She fell on the floor."

Saudi was charged with resisting police officers, assaulting an employee and refusing to leave the store. Her court hearing is set for 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 6.

Saudi's son, Sam Helmi of Greensboro, said his mother told him she was shopping when she forgot where she left her shopping cart and pocketbook. She eventually found them and headed for the checkout line, then discovered $150 missing from her purse, Helmi said.

She told Helmi she was embarrassed and confused -- unable to pay her bill or even tell the clerk why she was upset. She alleges that people began laughing, which upset her more.

Saudi said she fell when the officer tried to remove her from the store. They dragged her to the police cruiser, injuring her handcuffed wrists, she told family members.

"I'm not the person to shout and do crazy things," said Helmi, who has lived in the region for 24 years. "But I am burning inside."

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URL for this article: http://www.heraldsun.com/state/6-541714.html

[7.62 x 51mm]

STFU, dirtbags.

[so_real]

Look at page 26 of A Guide to Naturalization at the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. (www.uscis.gov)

It's a big download so I'll quote ... According to the law, applicants must demonstrate an understanding of the English language, including an ability to read, write, and speak...simple words and phrases...in ordinary usage in the English language....

I feel bad for the lady's pain. But all this could have been avoided if only we had an immigration service that enforced the rules. By not keeping to the law, we have brought this situation (and numerous others, I fear) on our own heads.

For that we must pay a penalty -- in my opinion it is only fair that we pay for her hospital stay and comfortable transportation back to Egypt. She is welcome place herself back in the naturalization queue a second time if she so desires.

We'll charge the expense to the USCIS and direct them to do a better job in the future. Sound good?

[farmfriend]

I've had hospital food and I thought it was poison!

This is true but is amazing how good that jello tastes when you have not been allowed liquids.

[Ecliptic]

If she doesn't speak English, how can she shop by herself, check out, make change...did she also drive by herself to Wal-Mart??

[Carolinamom]

I'm still trying to visualize how she was able to kick the store manager IN THE CHEST. Muslim Rockette? LOL

[Freebird Forever]

She eventually found them and headed for the checkout line, then discovered $150 missing from her purse.

Sounds like a muslim version of an Irish Traveler scam.

Video surveillance tapes should be able to prove or disprove this claim.

[all4one]

My thoughts exactly! And then kicking a store employee in the chest!!! What a despicable animal....she doesn't sound so frail to me!

Here is the scenario that I picture. A store employee was questioning what the big buldges were under her caftan/burqua outfit. She was caught shoplifting or some other nonsense...lost her purse and $150.00...what a crock! How does she know monetary denominations....here 12 years and No English.

[Nov3]

a naturalized citizen who has lived in America for 12 years, doesn't speak English

Learn how to speak English or go home.

[clyde260]

Talking to my brother now (retired GPD), he knows both Officers involved. She was arrested for resisting arrest, assaulting a Walmart employee, and tresspassing.

He says she kicked the asst. store manager in the chest.

A 68 year old "lady"??????