Investigation Launched into Series of Hate Crimes as Arab Muslim Student Becomes Victim of Hit-and-Run at Stanford University
Stanford University investigates a series of possible hate crimes, including a hit-and-run incident involving an Arab Muslim student, amidst heightened tensions during the Israel-Hamas conflict
Stanford University's public safety department is currently investigating a minimum of five potential hate crime incidents that have occurred since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas wars. One such incident involved a hit-and-run crash, allegedly targeting an Arab Muslim student, as reported by the authorities. The collision took place on Friday afternoon.
According to a news release from the Stanford Department of Public Safety, the victim stated that the driver intentionally made eye contact, increased speed, and deliberately hit the victim before fleeing the scene while uttering offensive language towards others. The hit-and-run incident, being investigated by the California Highway Patrol, is being considered a potential hate crime.
The university stated that the injuries sustained by the victim were not life-threatening. According to an alert published on Stanfords website on Saturday, the victim provided a description of the driver as a white male in his mid-20s with short dirty-blond hair and a short beard. The driver was reported to be wearing a gray shirt and round framed eyeglasses.
The student also described the vehicle involved as a 2015 black Toyota 4Runner "or possibly a newer model," according to the alert.
Signage is seen on the exterior of the building where law firm Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP is located in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., August 17, 2020.
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Top law firms indicate that they will not hire graduates from college campuses that tolerate antisemitism. Stanford President Richard Saller and Provost Jenny Martinez condemned the hit-and-run incident in a statement issued on campus last Friday.
"We are deeply troubled by this report of physical violence, potentially motivated by hate, occurring on our campus," read the statement. "Violence is absolutely unacceptable within our campus environment, and any form of hate-based violence is morally reprehensible."
The Council on American-Islamic Relations San Francisco Bay Area declared in a statement on Saturday that the incident "highlights the critical necessity of tackling the escalating Islamophobia and hatred that continues to plague our communities."
Public safety authorities encouraged anyone with information on the incident to come forward. CNN has reached out to the California Highway Patrol for more details.
Stanford: More potential hate crimes reported
According to Stanford's public safety authorities, a series of hate crime incidents occurred starting from October 15. A group of students, who identified as "Arab, Muslim and/or Palestinian," reported being physically assaulted by another student when they tried to add or remove posters in a specific area on campus. The university's Protected Identity Harm reporting site stated that Stanford categorizes acts of anti-Arab and Islamophobia as repugnant. Investigation into this incident as a hate crime is currently being carried out by the Department of Public Safety.
The day after, a student of color was sitting close to a Palestinian liberation exhibit at the White Plaza location on the Palo Alto campus when another student reportedly spat at them. This account was documented on the reporting site. Reflecting on the Israel-Hamas war, college students in the US share their perspectives on protest, fear, and pride.
According to school authorities, the second student reportedly used the word "disgusting" and tried to spit at the student near the display. The Protected Identity Harm reporting site emphasizing that spitting on someone, especially if driven by hate, is considered unacceptable behavior and will not be tolerated in this environment.
On October 18, in the White Plaza area of campus, a gathering of Arab, Muslim, and/or Palestinian students witnessed an incident where an individual intentionally ran over a tote bag decorated with a Palestine-shaped design. The bag contained a computer and other valuable items.
The university's public safety officials are investigating the incident as a hate-motivated crime. On October 28, school officials reported that the mezuzah, a sacred religious symbol, was removed from a Jewish student's residence, suggesting it as another potential hate crime and an act of intimidation towards the Jewish community.
