Rights Group Seeks Public Help to Identify DNC Delegate in Assault on Muslim Woman
CAIR has also urged the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the Harris-Walz campaign to condemn the attack and assist in the ongoing investigation by the Chicago Police Department.
The incident occurred during President Biden’s speech to the DNC on August 19th. Florida DNC delegate and law professor Nadia Ahmad, along with several other delegates, held up a sign reading “Stop Arming Israel.”
Men in box seats behind them, identified as members of the New England chapter of the Laborers’ International Union of North America, allegedly attacked the protesters. At least two union members reportedly struck Ahmad with poles attached to ‘We Love You Joe’ signs, and other audience members eventually tore the anti-war sign away.
Ahmad identified two of the union members allegedly involved as Scott Gustafson, Regional Organizing Director at LiUNA, and Brent Booker, General President of LiUNA. A third man, briefly caught on camera striking Ahmad, has not yet been identified. CAIR is seeking the public’s assistance in confirming his identity.
Read More:
The Chicago Police Department is investigating the incident, but no arrests have been made, and no charges have been filed in the weeks since the assault.
In a statement, CAIR Deputy Executive Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell said, “Using a pole to repeatedly strike anyone over the head is a crime, and singling out a Muslim woman wearing a hijab for such violence is a hate crime. The Chicago Police Department has been moving too slowly in its investigation of the assault and the Democratic National Committee has been too quiet. So has the Harris-Walz campaign.”
Mitchell added, “If a DNC delegate had physically attacked a visibly Jewish delegate holding up a pro-Israel sign, giving her a concussion, all hell would have rightfully broken loose and no effort would have been spared to hold the perpetrators responsible.”
He emphasized, “The Chicago Police Department must swiftly identify and file charges against all of the DNC attendees responsible for this violent attack, including members of the Laborers’ International Union of North America who violated both the law and the principles of the organized labor movement, which has vocally stood up against the Gaza genocide.”
Source: CAIR
