You don't say, hate crimes in the U.S.? Whoever heard of such?
Posted on 09/19/2003 7:04:57 AM PDT by Jakarta ex-pat
Two years after the September 11 U.S. attacks, immigrants here complain that since then they have been living in a state of fear, subjected to hate crimes and their concerns largely ignored.
At a meeting in the Elmhurst-Jackson Heights Senior Centre in Queens, 17 people from the Hispanic, Chinese, Muslim and South Asian communities voiced their concerns. These ranged from increasing crime in Queens to hate crimes against Muslims to instances of racial attacks on Sikhs in cases of mistaken identity.
Shiela Mirza, now an activist of Desis Rising Up and Moving (DRUM), said she was beaten up by four boys in her school and continuously humiliated by them. "Neither the school authorities nor the police took any action."
Hispanic Salvando Mainato, a limousine driver, said he had been continuously humiliated and abused in his workplace because of his skin.
Dalveer Kaur of United Sikhs said the first hate crime incident after 9/11 was on a Sikh. "Since then, on the assumption that Sikhs are linked to Osama bin Laden because they wear turbans, many members of the community have been killed shot, assaulted and beaten up. In almost all cases, the perpetrators got away."
The meeting was organised by a coalition of immigrant and civil rights groups led by New Immigrant Community Development (NICE) and had a panel of experts from groups like the New York Civil Liberties Union, South Asian American Leaders of Tomorrow, Islamic Circle of North America and the Latin American Integration Centre. Some city council members were also present.
NICE executive director Bryan Pu-Folkes said: "New York City is close to 40 percent foreign born, many council districts are two-thirds foreign born, and yet immigrant needs are largely overlooked and neglected."
Hispanic Saja Karon wanted to know what elected members were doing to check crime. City council member Peter Vallone said "Operation Impact", an action plan put in place by the New York Police Department, brings in more officers in high crime areas because of which crime in that area dropped by about 50 percent.
Lizi Rehman from Bangladesh said she and her family have been targeted since 9/11 because they were Muslims. "By husband was mugged about five times, and we have every reason to believe that the incidents happened because of our skin."
Amanda Karim Tobakku, a Hispanic woman married to an Arab, said her husband was among the undocumented people detained after 9/11.
"He was finally deported though he had no links to terrorism or any other criminal activity. Now, the authorities say that I have to wait for at least five years before he can return. I don't know what to do," she said.
Faiz Khan, a native of Bangladesh, said it was time to get rid of President George W. Bush. Tamina Begum, also a native of Bangladesh, said she had come to the country with a lot of dreams and hope. "However, after 9/11, our lives have become hell. I could not move out of my home for two months."
Amarjit Singh, who was working in the basement of the twin towers when the terrorists struck on 9/11, said he was trampled upon by people who were fleeing the buildings, and was injured on his right shoulder and arm.
"The authorities examined me and diagnosed my problem as arthritis, and paid me a nominal amount each week which touched a maximum of $187. Now I am being paid $95 a week. If it had been someone else but me, a brown skin, they would have got adequate compensation. I want my benefits, I want justice," he said.
Based on the testimonials, NICE said it would work with other groups to produce a working legislative advocacy and action plan.
"He was finally deported though he had no links to terrorism or any other criminal activity. Now, the authorities say that I have to wait for at least five years before he can return. I don't know what to do," she said.
Amanda, your clue has arrived! Your husband was/is a criminal!
This reads like an Onion article. BTW, I know I am not supposed to say this because it is considered poor form by some by liberals to take note of reality but if it is really so bad here, why aren't these people emigrating instead of complaining. All of the people quoted in the article were apparently able to move into this country. Why aren't these same people able to move back to the Shangri La's they came from, like Bangladesh, now that this country has turned into "hell."
Shiela Mirza, now an activist of Desis Rising Up and Moving (DRUM), said she was beaten up by four boys in her school
So was I, but nobody wrote an article about it.
You don't say, hate crimes in the U.S.? Whoever heard of such?
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