Anti-Semitism at Univ of Maryland: An Arrest
I am cross-posting an article from the Jerusalem Post regarding an arrest at the University of Maryland. The title is somewhat misleading because anti-Semitism in itself is not a crime in the US. It is the actions arising from it that may cross the line, and that appears to be the case here. A student, Muqarrab Ahmed Abdullah, has been specifically charged with electronic communication harassment, telephone misuse, and a race/religion crime.
https://www.jpost.com/Diaspora/Antisemitism/University-of-Maryland-student-arrested-for-antisemitism-619470?fbclid=IwAR1zU6y3IIdg0QtKu_fbpI75wLNBI80r9YPHD4e49RIzVTl21pPvVG5RkqU
"Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion at UMD, Patricia A. Perillo's a statement to the community.
"Behavior like this is unacceptable, and when we have the ability to charge perpetrators, we will do so. Hate has no place on our campus, and we thank UMPD for holding our community accountable," Perillo said.
"To our Jewish friends, co-workers, fellow students, colleagues, and alumni we stand with you. We aim to support you in the ways that you need. We will work closely with Hillel, university chaplains, and student groups to provide space and resources," she added."
While this is standard, boiler-plate university-speak, it is appropriate. Aside from counselors and safe spaces, students at all universities need to know that stuff like this will be punished and that our Jewish students will be protected. This wave of anti-Semitism largely sprouted from our universities, and we must focus our efforts to bring pressure to bear on these institutions to stop it. This is a good start.
Dear Mr Fouse
ReplyDeleteSlightly confused. What is the crime that actually took place?
Is it anti-Semitism directed towards a specific individual? Even though anti-Semitism is not crime?
thanks
Kinana,
ReplyDeleteYou may have to direct your question to some legal expert-particularly in the state of Maryland, where this all took place. But I will try.
Anti-Semitism is a thought, and thoughts are not crimes in this country. The article says misuse of email (communication devices) which can be found in certain laws, harassing, and religion/race laws, the latter being very vague. Using a communication device to violate a law can be a charge unto itself. Harassment, depending on the nature, can be a violation. Continuous harassment can be defined as stalking. Many states have adopted recent laws to enhance violations if they are motivated by racial or religious hatred. We will have to see how the prosecution is sorting this all out and presented to the court. The article itself is not very helpful. While I don't think much if any jail time will follow, hopefully, there will be grounds to prosecute. It's worth following up on.
Mr Fouse
ReplyDeleteto me, in general, to allow the expression of one's thoughts should not be a crime unless that expression includes the promotion of violence directed to individuals or groups of people. I admit there are complications and nuance.
I look forward to any follow up you have on this case.
thanks
Kinana,
ReplyDeleteIn general, I would agree with you.