The state better start expanding the old Japanese intern camp here at Newell.
No way it has the capacity for that many Muslims.
Posted on 12/25/2001 1:54:17 PM PST by sarcasm
LOS ANGELES - More than three months after Islamic terrorists attacked America, Muslims here still live in fear of soaring hate crimes and of racial profiling as US authorities seek out possible terror suspects.
"It has been very difficult for the Muslim community since September 11," said Rafique Ahmed of the Muslim Monitor Foundation, which aims to foster greater understanding of the Islamic faith.
"It's very unfortunate that a handful of misguided evil-doers have managed to tarnish the good image of all Muslim Americans.
"It will take a very long and concerted effort to improve the tremendous damage done to us," said the Pakistan-born Ahmed, who has lived in California for 30 years.
In the state, home to an estimated 500,000 of the United States' six million Muslims, attacks on Arab- and Muslim-Americans have skyrocketed to 274 in the last three months alone, compared to just five in all of 2000, according to the state attorney general.
The Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations, which this week launched a star-studded campaign aimed at stamping out the growing phenomena, recorded 92 hate crimes since the September 11 attacks against 12 last year.
"Whatever the figures, there is no question that this massive and worrying rise in hate crimes is a direct result of uncontrolled anger and ignorance following September 11," said Robin Toma, the commission's executive director.
"These numbers are sure to be reflected across the country this year," he said.
Most of the crimes were criminal threats and acts of vandalism, but there has also been a raft of violent assaults, mainly on gas station and convenience store employees.
One involved a Sikh merchant who was savagely beaten with metal poles after being mistaken for an Arab.
But while the numbers of hate attacks on Muslims and people of Middle Eastern appearance have jumped alarmingly compared to last year, attacks have dropped off since a massive surge just after September 11.
Some 182 hate crimes were reported by state law enforcement agencies in September, while just 71 were noted in October and 21 in November, an average rate of one attack a day over the two-month period.
But it's not just physical attacks that Muslims have been forced to fend off as the United States reels in the aftermath of the worst terrorist act on U.S. soil -- many also have to defend their legal right to stay in the country.
Authorities are carrying our a wave of roundups of foreigners aimed at thwarting further terror strikes after Attorney General John Ashcroft ordered the questioning of some 5,000 Middle Eastern men.
In addition, more than 600 people are in detention across the country following the September 11 attacks, with few details of their fate available.
Under recently enacted anti-terrorism legislation, law enforcement agencies can detain non-U.S. citizens indefinitely and expel them more easily.
Earlier this month in San Diego, immigration officers detained 10 Middle Eastern students after scrutinizing hundreds of foreigners in the area. One remains in custody while three have already left the country.
"We are contacting all schools with foreign students to update our records and are focusing on those from Middle Eastern countries given the recent national security problems," said immigration service spokeswoman Lauren Mack.
The Los Angeles-based Muslim Public Affairs Council deplored the roundups and secretive detentions as an erosion of civil liberties that, along with the proliferation of hate crimes, was making life for U.S. Muslims very tough
This is one of the things the leftists feared with Bush becoming President, expecting John Ashcroft to be AG.
Laws would be enforced.
A muslim can stare me right in the eyes, and tell me how he deplores the violence, and I will continue to suspect him of being a sympathizer. That is just how it is going to be. The whole thing was their idea.
I agree. "Hate crimes" here are generally perpetrated by loner-losers against solitary and unfortunate targets. Overseas they are perpetrated by organized crowds against churches and embassies.
The state better start expanding the old Japanese intern camp here at Newell.
No way it has the capacity for that many Muslims.
Oh, how SAD. But we already have a pretty darn good understanding of the Islamic faith now. Thanks, though.
"It's very unfortunate that a handful of misguided evil-doers have managed to tarnish the good image of all Muslim Americans. "It will take a very long and concerted effort to improve the tremendous damage done to us," said the Pakistan-born Ahmed, who has lived in California for 30 years.
Yes, it's VERY unfortunate and there has been TREMENDOUS damage... oh, wait, you aren't talking about NY and DC, you're talking about your hurt feelings. Oh, excuse me. I thought you were talking about the thousands killed, the billions of dollars in damages, the bombed out heart of a wounded city... no, you were talking about all the dirty looks you're getting when you step out all decked out in your "I support the Mohammedians who hate the GREAT SATAN outfits." Sorry. My misunderstanding.
"Whatever the figures, there is no question that this massive and worrying rise in hate crimes is a direct result of uncontrolled anger and ignorance following September 11," said Robin Toma, the commission's executive director.
Ignorance? Oh really? I think its from the growing UNDERSTANDING of the goal of Islam and the attitudes of Muslims worldwide. Our previous ignorance worked in your favor, buddy.
...but there has also been a raft of violent assaults, mainly on gas station and convenience store employees.
Oh, the temptation to make a joke.... (struggle... struggle...)
In addition, more than 600 people are in detention across the country following the September 11 attacks, with few details of their fate available.
Because they were staying on expired visas or had fake IDs. Yes, let's leave that part out, shall we? Sure. Shhhh...
Under recently enacted anti-terrorism legislation, law enforcement agencies can detain non-U.S. citizens indefinitely and expel them more easily.
YES! GOOD!
The Los Angeles-based Muslim Public Affairs Council deplored the roundups and secretive detentions as an erosion of civil liberties that, along with the proliferation of hate crimes, was making life for U.S. Muslims very tough.
Once again, not a word about what others are going through because of the terrorism. Just a long, protracted whine about how you're being treated. Waaaaahhh.... go back to Jordan.
This means that if you rob anyone but a middle class "European-American", you will do twice the time in prison. This also means that if you do a crime against a middle class "European-American", you will be lucky to do any time in prison at all.
So all you criminals out there, if you feel the need to rob, mug, kill, or just do a small mutalation, be sure you choose the correct ethnic group or else.
Interesting that 'hate crimes' against Arabic-types have gone DOWN since 9/11.
How does anyone explain THAT???
The cheese eating surrender monkeys are at it again?
They analyzed American "normal" crime and determined there is "soaring" hate crimes?
Or as I suspect they pulled the results out of their b***s and wrote a so-called story around it?
Gee do you suppose if the American Muslims had delivered immediate and sincere condemnation of the Muslim Mass Murder they would need to wonder why they are being singled out?
Sorry, the Muslim silence has invited whatever special attention they are getting.
And I am still wondering how their "attitude" about their religion has changed.
If there is any soul-searching happening, it sure isn't evident in the behavior of Muslims around the world.
Words are worse than useless at this point.
And justifiable and deserved as far as I'm concerned.
You can't just smile and enjoy brutality and keep claiming that "you" would never do it.
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