Human rights groups have expressed outrage over the ongoing conflict in Israel and the Gaza Strip, with the Biden administration working to create a plan to provide safe passage for civilians. Former President Donald Trump used the conflict to stoke fears about immigration into the United States, having instituted a travel ban on people from predominantly Muslim countries in 2017, which human rights groups have condemned as inhumane and unjust.
Posts tagged as “Black and Muslim”
On Monday, the FBI and Philadelphia law enforcement officials arrested a 17-year-old for terrorism-related charges. The teen, a supporter of Islamic extremists, allegedly radicalized online and is facing several charges. The investigation began after the FBI received a tip from a concerned citizen and the teen is currently being held in a juvenile detention facility. The FBI and Philadelphia law enforcement officials are continuing to investigate the case and urge anyone with information to contact them.
The Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) has engineered the game to generate even larger sums, with half a dozen jackpots exceeding $1 billion in the past five years. Players must purchase their tickets before the drawing in order to be eligible to win the life-changing jackpot, with the drawing taking place at 11 p.m. Eastern Tuesday.
A gay professional dancer was tragically killed in a possible anti-gay hate crime at a gas station in Brooklyn, New York. Surveillance footage shows the victim and his friends vogueing to Beyoncé’s “Renaissance” album before a separate group of men approached them. The NYPD has identified a suspect and is investigating the incident as a possible hate crime, sparking outrage in the LGBTQ+ community and calls for an end to violence against queer people.
Andrey Desmond, 30, of New Britain, Connecticut was arrested and charged with assault and other offences after allegedly attacking State Representative Maryam Khan outside of a Muslim prayer service in Hartford on Wednesday. He allegedly made lewd comments, attempted to kiss her, and then struck her and threw her to the ground. At his arraignment on Thursday, Desmond was ordered held in lieu of $250,000 bond and the Hartford Police Department released a statement saying that they are “committed to protecting all members of our community” and the incident is still under investigation.
Connecticut State Rep. Maryam Khan was attacked after attending an Eid al-Adha service on Wednesday, prompting Gov. Ned Lamont to express his concern over the incident. The Hartford Police Department arrested a suspect in connection with the attack, and the details of the assault are still unfolding. Khan, the first Muslim member of the Connecticut House, has not commented on the incident.
Miami Mayor and 2024 presidential candidate Francis Suarez has come under fire for his response to a question about human rights abuses against Uyghurs, a predominantly Muslim minority ethnic group in China’s western region. Suarez's response of "What's a Uyghur?" has been met with criticism from human rights activists, prompting him to apologize and promise to make human rights a priority in his campaign. It remains to be seen how this incident will affect his chances in the upcoming election.
Last week, five young Muslim women were killed in a car accident in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Derrick Thompson, 27, has been charged with 10 counts of vehicular homicide for allegedly speeding in a 55 mph zone and running a red light. If convicted, Thompson could face up to 40 years in prison.