Iraqi teen, Muslim group say assault was racially motivated (story that KO cited tonight)

[usregimechange]

Saif Al-Safi of Cedar Rapids was beaten by a player from an opposing team following a softball game at Tait Cummings Park on May 23. Taken on Monday June 28, 2010 at his home in Cedar Rapids. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)



Sahara Al-Safi of Cedar Rapids describes the attack on her son by a player from an opposing team following a softball game at Tait Cummings Park on May 23. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)

A fight that broke out after an adult softball game could now become a federal hate-crime investigation. An Iraqi immigrant says a player on the opposing team called him derogatory names, punched him, and broke his jaw.

Saif Al-Safi says he has no idea why he got yelled at and punched after his softball game. Now, his jaw is wired shut and he’s had to take off from work for six weeks. The Iowa Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations calls the incident a hate crime.

Al-Safi still remembers the moment right after his softball game when he says a player on the opposing team came up and punched him.

“I shook. I was seeing three of everything. I tried to get back up, but I just fell down,” he said. Before the punch, Al-Safi says the man hurled offensive, racist words at him…words that hurt more than his injury. “It was painful, but it’s over now. I still feel the words,” he said.

http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/statewide-news/2010/06/28/iraqi-teen-muslim-group-say-assault-was-racially-motivated?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+GazetteOnlineLocalNews+%28Gazette+Online+Local+News%29

"After the game, the victim was allegedly hit in the jaw by an assailant from the opposing team who shouted slurs such as 'raghead,' 'terrorist' and 'camel jockey.'"

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cair-racial-slurs-used-during-attack-on-iowa-muslim-96687034.html

:grr:

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. It is a hate crime

how long until good americans stand up to this crap?

[usregimechange]

2. Do you mean even during an election year?

Frankly the Democratic wimps that don't speak up are almost worse than those spreading the hate.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. I fear to agree with you, but you are correct

I guess it is up to us the little people.

Need to find out if the local tea party is gonna go protest friday services... so I can go counter protest... with a copy of the Constitution.

[usregimechange]

4. Good for you, hoping we can get the news out that hate as a political weapon =

end that doesn't and will never justify the means.

[dkf]

5. Yeah quite a wonderful peace this mosque is creating.

Sometimes it is better to let sleeping dogs lie.

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. Ok so today our favorite target is insert mosque here

you are blind if you do not realize this is going all over the country.

Tomorrow the Catholics? Or perhaps Synagogues? What about Christian Churches of the not so liked denomination?

See the point?

This hate has to be called for what it is... stormfront like hate.

[dkf]

9. Was it this kids idea to wade into this emotional pit?

Nope. He just suffers the consequences. When a leader makes these types of decisions, especially on behalf of a community, they have to do it responsibly.

If some person claiming to represent my community threw me into this hornets nest I would be pissed.

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. This is the nature of... RACISM

but if you want to think otherwise... by all means.

I'd blame Newt faster by the way. But that is just me. Or Palin, or whoever else who is stoking this, but that is just me.

I mean after all those four kids who were killed at Birmingham were victims of MLK, just like this kid is the victim of Imam Rauf... is that what I have to take from this?

[dkf]

13. Its the butterfly effect.

First of all kids arent very good at decision making especially when emotions are involved. I predict this wont be the last of it either. Its going to get worse.

[Hannah Bell]

18. because of hate-mongers & their apologists.

[nadinbrzezinski]

20. So adults should not stand up on priciples

I guess Rosa Parks should have staid in the back of the buss.

And no, I will not add the sarcasm tag either. It is UP TO YOU AND ME to stand up to this ugly racism.

Ok, I grant you, me. You don't get it. So go stand behind the barrier, ok. There you will be safe.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

14. By your logic, MLK is responsible for the deaths of Goodman, Chaney and Schwerner.

I know you don't know who they are because that would require a knowledge of civil rights and a functioning brain.

[Hannah Bell]

19. +200

[Hannah Bell]

17. what crap.

[pinboy3niner]

7. Yeah, and the civil rights protesters should have known better, too

Look at all the violence THEY caused. :sarcasm:

[usregimechange]

8. Eh, what?

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[rufus dog]

12. No shit! n/t

[Hannah Bell]

16. the mosque isn't the problem. it's the hate-mongers.

[Dorian Gray]

15. Ugh

I hope the perpetrator is tried and convicted for hate crimes. How awful!