An area Muslim advocacy group has known as for a hate crime investigation after a number of vandalism incidents focusing on a brand new Islamic middle in St. Anthony.
The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations known as on regulation enforcement Wednesday to research a attainable bias motive for a sequence of vandalism assaults on the Tibyan Heart.
The group said that over the previous two months, the middle has been the goal of seven separate incidents of vandalism and break-ins, inflicting intensive injury costing greater than $20,000.
The Tibyan Heart skilled the assaults because it introduced plans to open a youth-focused middle and mosque in Could, in line with CAIR-MN.
The St. Anthony Police Division detailed the varied incidents on the location within the final couple of months:
- On Could 22, pry marks had been discovered on the outer door of the constructing. Officers checked inside and decided {that a} fireplace extinguisher had been expelled and a Clorox liquid rest room cleaner had been sprayed on the ground close to a restroom.
- On June 15, an worker discovered a damaged window, however authorities didn’t discover any proof of entry being made.
- On each June 27 and 29, an worker reported {that a} group of juveniles entered the constructing by way of the entrance door utilizing a key or lock decide. Video confirmed the juveniles operating round, taking cellphone video and spraying Lysol.
- On July 7, 4 males approached the entrance door, with one in every of them pulling forcefully on the door. After seeing an worker inside, the boys left in a car.
- On July 16, an worker noticed two males contained in the constructing on surveillance video; nevertheless, they left earlier than police arrived. Officers considered the video and noticed two males who broken the door lock with a pry bar and entered the constructing. There was additionally a damaged window, in line with police.
Regulation enforcement famous that each one 5 of those incidents are beneath energetic investigation.
CAIR-MN additionally said there was an incident on Could 29, the place the constructing was damaged into, fireplace extinguishers had been sprayed and computer systems and different gadgets had been stolen. In addition they famous extra break-ins on June 30 and July 2.
The group is asking on each native authorities and the FBI to research the assaults and decide who’s accountable.
“CAIR-Minnesota is deeply involved by these repeated assaults, notably given the rise in assaults on Minnesota Mosques and facilities,” mentioned Jaylani Hussein, govt director of CAIR-MN. “These assaults have shaken our group, and plenty of members who had been excited in regards to the alternative the brand new middle represents are actually feeling fearful and susceptible. We imagine these assaults could also be a part of a broader effort to intimidate and hurt Muslim communities and we name on regulation enforcement and group assist in bringing these assailants into custody.”
Anybody with details about the vandalism incidents ought to contact CAIR-MN, native regulation enforcement or the St. Anthony Police Division at 612-782-3350.
