Tag: hate crimes

Dystopia: UK Woman Recalls Being Arrested by Multiple Officers for Hate Crime While She Was Naked, After Sending Harmless Text Message

The United Kingdom has become an authoritarian nightmare, and the United States must remain vigilant if it does not want to go down the same course.

Elizabeth Kinney, a 34-year-old care assistant, was naked in the bathtub when 11 police officers barged into her home to arrest her.

Her crime was sending insults to another woman via text.

The International Business Times reported Wednesday that Kinney — a mother of four — was detained under the Malicious Communications Act. She had sent texts to a woman involved with a man who had allegedly assaulted her. In those texts, she used the word “f****t” to describe him.

According to the U.K.’s Daily Mail, she has been convicted of a hate crime. Kinney is ordered to do 72 hours of unpaid work, complete 10 rehabilitation activity days, and pay a fine of £364. According to the International Business Times, she had initially faced 10 years in prison.

Per the Daily Mail, prosecuting attorney Jacqueline Whiting commented on the incident, “The defendant and the victim in this matter had been friends but had a falling out which resulted in an incident on the October 27, 2024 whereby abusive and homophobic text messages were sent to the victim causing her alarm and distress.”

“The Crown place this offence in the highest category of its type due to the effect related to sexual orientation and the greater harm because it had moderate impact.”

Kinney’s lawyer, Simon Simmonds, tried to help his client by telling the court she was distressed over being allegedly assaulted and was simply venting after an awful situation. “In terms of motivation and hostility, I do not suppose there was much thought process other than unloading a lot off her chest.”

“She was simply upset about what had happened to her. There is reference to another male they had both been connected to and this led to an incident not before the court that Miss Kinney was the victim of.”

Kinney insisted her words were a “thoughtless rant,” not an attack on anyone’s sexuality.

She appeared on “Piers Morgan Uncensored,” where she explained the arrest to him.

Keep reading

New AFP boss warns hate crime laws may need to be strengthened further

Hate crime offences created earlier this year after a spate of antisemitic attacks may need to be taken even further, Australia’s new top cop has flagged in her first interview as police chief.

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett has also announced the creation of specialised strike teams to chase down extremists who fall short of strictly defined terrorism offences.

Commissioner Barrett, who today formally took charge of the AFP, has revealed her first act as chief is to establish specialist National Security Investigations (NSI) teams in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra to deal with the blurring lines between extremism, political violence, organised crime and foreign interference.

“In the past two years, particularly post-October 7, 2023, we have seen a changing operating environment for law enforcement in Australia,” Commissioner Barrett told the ABC. 

“Under my leadership, the AFP will be laser focused on protecting our sovereignty, our democracy, our social cohesion, our financial sector and our future prosperity.”

Keep reading

Syracuse students accused of hate crime after pork was thrown into Jewish frat house

Two Syracuse University students have been charged with burglary as a hate crime after one of them was alleged to have thrown a bag of pork into a Jewish fraternity house as people gathered to observe Rosh Hashanah, police said Wednesday.

The two 18-year-olds were also charged with one count each of criminal nuisance in the incident at the Zeta Beta Tau house about 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, police in Syracuse, New York, said.

Allen Groves, the university’s chief student experience officer, called it a “deeply troubling incident” in a message to the campus community Tuesday night.

“Tonight’s incident as reported to us is abhorrent, shocking to the conscience and violates our core value of being a place that is truly welcoming to all,” he said. “It will not be tolerated at Syracuse University.”

One of the accused students entered the frat house and threw the bag of pork inside while the second drove the vehicle that they then used to flee, Groves said. Police arrested both soon afterward, he said.

Police said the two students were detained and charged after consultation with the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office.

Keep reading

Harry Miller Accused of Hate Crime – for Tweet Celebrating Dismissal of Trans Police Officer Who Stalked Him

Harry Miller, a former police officer who now campaigns for free speech, was accused of a hate crime by police for a tweet celebrating the dismissal of a trans police officer who had stalked him. The Telegraph has the story.

Harry Miller, a former police officer who now campaigns for free speech, was questioned under caution by Lincolnshire Police for a tweet welcoming the officer’s removal.

Mr Miller had been the victim of a sustained campaign of harassment by Lynsay Watson, a transgender constable with the Leicestershire force who was the complainant behind the arrest last week of Graham Linehan, the comedy writer.

Watson was sacked for gross misconduct in October 2023 after being found guilty of sending more than 1,200 messages to Mr Miller over an 18-month period, branding him a “Nazi”, a “bigot” and “wife beater”.

Mr Miller, who set up the Fair Cop campaign group to remove politics from policing, posted a tweet welcoming the decision. However, in November 2024, more than a year later, he was accused of having committed a criminal offence over the wording of the tweet and questioned under caution.

He was accused of having impersonated the Chief Constable of Leicestershire Police in his online remarks, seemingly because the offending tweet began: “Statement re the dismissal of PC Watson from @leicspolice”. The detective sergeant who interviewed him suggested the post read as though it was a statement being issued on behalf of Leicestershire Police.

Mr Miller was also accused of misgendering Watson in an article he had written about his stalking ordeal for the Critic magazine.

He was informed he was being questioned on suspicion of a breach of the Online Safety Act, which makes it a criminal offence to send a message knowing it to be false and intending it cause non-trivial psychological or physical harm without a reasonable excuse.

The Online Safety Act gained Royal Assent on October 26th 2023, the day before Mr Miller posted the tweet, but did not become law until January 31st last year, so could not have been applied in this case.

Mr Miller was subsequently released with no further action.

Keep reading

Anatomy of a lynching

Kamel Musallet was at home in Florida, United States, when he last spoke to his son Sayfollah (Saif), who was visiting their ancestral hometown of al-Mazaraa ash-Sharqiyah (Mazraa) in the occupied West Bank.

Saif, 20, was in high spirits, telling Kamel he might have found the woman he wanted to marry and talking about how to start the arrangements.

Four days later, Kamel woke up the morning of July 11 to a call from his younger son, Muhammad, 18, telling him that settlers had attacked Saif.

At the time, Saif was lying on the ground near an oak tree where he had hidden to get away from rampaging settlers; he was unconscious and having trouble breathing.

By the time Saif had been carried to an ambulance, he was dead.

Saif’s friend, 23-year-old Muhammad “Rizik” al-Shalabi from Mazraa, was found later in the night – shot, beaten, tortured and left to die of his wounds.

Al Jazeera spoke with witnesses, victims, town officials, first aid responders, and search and rescue volunteers.

This is the story of how Saif and Rizik were lynched by a mob of Israeli settlers.

Keep reading

New hate crime charges filed in killing of Israeli Embassy staffers, raising death penalty potential

D.C. federal prosecutors have filed federal hate crime and murder charges against the man accused of gunning down two Israeli Embassy staffers this spring, giving the Justice Department the option to pursue the death penalty in the case.

The newly unsealed indictment lays out the alleged digital footprint of Elias Rodriguez’s antisemitic views that prosecutors say fueled the deadly shooting of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah MilgrIm, a young couple who were days away from being engaged in Jerusalem.

The court documents include a “notice of special findings” that includes the potential for Mr. Rodriguez, 31, to receive the death penalty. 

Surveillance video showed Rodriguez advancing closer to Lischinsky and Milgrim as they fell to the ground, leaning over them and firing additional shots. He appeared to reload before jogging off, officials have said.

The defendant is accused of flying from Chicago to the District with his legally owned pistol to carry out the May 21 attack outside the Capital Jewish Museum. 

The new indictment says Mr. Rodriguez shouted “Free Palestine” when he shot the couple dead as they left the venue, according to court documents. 

Surveillance video allegedly captured Mr. Rodriguez standing over the victims and firing more shots into the couple after he initially downed them.

The filing said he then went inside the museum and claimed he killed the pair “for Gaza” and “for Palestine” while brandishing a red keffiyeh, a traditional Arabic scarf often associated with anti-Israel activists.

Mr. Rodriguez continued to shout “Free Palestine” during his arrest, the indictment said, and made statements about “intifada” and “revolution” as well. He also yelled  “shame on you” at event attendees inside the museum and “shame on Zio-nazi terror.”  

Old social media posts cited in court documents include a 2024 post that said “Happy New Year, Death To Israel.”

Keep reading

Massachusetts Official Labels ‘Moms For Liberty’ as Neo-Nazis in Police Course on ‘Hate Crimes’

In Massachusetts, a state trooper involved in a hate crimes unit has co-authored a controversial police training course. This course labels the parental rights group, Moms for Liberty, as a “hate group” alongside Antifa and white supremacist organizations. The training is part of a broader initiative by the Massachusetts Municipal Police Training Committee, which educates over 20,000 officers statewide.

Trooper Emily Todisco, who works with the Hate Crimes Awareness and Response Team (HART), is at the center of this debate. Appointed by Democratic Governor Maura Healey, Todisco’s role involves enhancing data collection and information-sharing on hate crimes. Her participation in developing this training has sparked a backlash from conservatives who see it as an attack on pro-family values.

Charlie Misseijer, from Moms for Liberty, expressed concern over the implications of this training. He argues that comparing their organization to neo-Nazis puts families at risk. Misseijer emphasizes the danger of law enforcement materials that construct what he calls a “wholly contrived narrative.”

Attempts to get a response from the police training committee were unsuccessful. Both Todisco and her co-author, Curriculum Specialist Hannah Gianfriddo, were unavailable for comment. This silence has only fueled the controversy surrounding the training’s content and intent.

The presentation at the heart of the issue is titled “Freedom and Hate: Speech, Crimes & Groups.” It aims to inform law enforcement about local “hate groups” and includes Moms for Liberty in its list. The training highlights the group’s efforts to challenge books on race and gender identity and to promote conservative candidates.

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is cited as a source for defining hate groups in the training. Critics argue the SPLC has long lost its credibility by targeting groups that don’t align with its leftist agenda. This inclusion has intensified the debate over the course’s objectivity and fairness.

The training underlines that “hate speech” is legally protected in the United States. Despite no violence being attributed to Moms for Liberty supporters, the course warns of their “active” presence. It advises police to recognize the signs of these groups to better prepare for potential incidents.

The course suggests that understanding these groups’ symbols and missions is crucial for law enforcement. This knowledge is seen as vital for identifying propaganda and harmful rhetoric. Such preparation, the training argues, enables effective community policing.

Inquiries to Governor Healey’s office for a statement went unanswered. The governor’s involvement in appointing Todisco has brought political dimensions to the controversy. The lack of response adds to the frustration of those seeking accountability.

The Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent media outlet, initially reported on this issue. They emphasize that their content is available for widespread distribution. The goal is to ensure transparency and broaden the audience for important stories like this one.

Keep reading

NJ lawmakers advance bill defining antisemitism after hours of testimony

An Assembly panel advanced a controversial bill that would create a state definition of antisemitism Thursday after more than seven hours of impassioned testimony from hundreds of supporters and critics alike.

Supporters cited rising rates of antisemitic hate crimes as a reason why lawmakers must pass the bill, which has more than 50 cosponsors.

Opponents said the bill, which would adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism, would violate free speech rights by criminalizing criticism of Israel. Several cited crackdowns on campus protests and pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, who the Trump administration detained and aims to deport after declaring his anti-Israel activism antisemitic.

The disagreement ran so deep that tensions exploded even hours before the Assembly state and local government committee’s hearing on the measure started. Pro-Palestinian advocates held a morning rally outside the Statehouse to condemn the bill, and several pro-Israel activists tried to disrupt it, prompting state troopers to scramble to defuse the resulting shoving match between both sides.

Things didn’t go much more smoothly inside.

Troopers had to open four overflow rooms to accommodate the crowds who showed up to testify, and testimony grew so heated that Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak (D-Middlesex), the committee’s chair, repeatedly pounded his gavel to restore order and threatened to have troopers remove disruptive spectators.

Assemblyman Gary Schaer (D-Passaic), the bill’s chief sponsor, kicked off the testimony just after noon. Four other Assembly members from both parties beside him also testified in support of the bill.

Schaer denied that the bill would infringe upon the First Amendment, saying its goal is simple — to combat rising antisemitism.

“A statutory definition of antisemitism gives law enforcement a clear lens to determine the motivation and/or intent behind a criminal act or bias incident that may have been motivated by antisemitism,” he said. “It may also be incorporated into policy development and anti-bias training. However, the legislation does not create new criminal penalties or criminalize protected speech. Instead, it ensures that when an individual paints a swastika on a synagogue, shouts slurs at a Jewish student, or otherwise targets someone based on their Jewish identity, we have a consistent, recognized standard by which to evaluate.”

Dozens of Jewish groups, mayors, and others echoed that support.

“The Jewish community must stand up to the bullies who see this bill as a threat to their ability to harass and intimidate us,” said Jason Shames, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey.

But DaWuan Norwood, policy counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, said the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition conflates protected political speech with unprotected discrimination.

Keep reading

HERE WE GO: Work on Site Halted, Police Launch Investigation After Noose Found at Construction Site of Tennessee Titans’ New Football Stadium

Here we go.

The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department is investigating after a noose was reportedly found at the construction site of a new football stadium for the Tennessee Titans.

New construction on the Nissan Stadium began last February.

Work on the construction site was halted last week after the Tennessee Builders Alliance discovered the noose.

“This week, a racist and hateful symbol was discovered on our site. There is no place for hate or racism in our workplace,” the Tennessee Builders Alliance said in a statement. “We reported the incident to law enforcement, suspended work, and launched an investigation.”

Sheriff Clarke wasn’t buying the story.

NBC News reported:

Police are investigating after a noose was found at the construction site of the Tennessee Titans’ new football stadium this week, a spokesperson for the Metro Nashville Police Department said.

The Tennessee Builders Alliance reported finding the noose at the site of what is to be the new Nissan Stadium, police said. The police spokesperson could not say when the report was filed, just that it happened “this week.”

The Tennessee Builders Alliance and the Titans did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

In a statement, Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell said that he appreciated the NFL team bringing the incident to his attention immediately, and said his office has taken steps “both in local policy and state policy to try to prevent hate incidents like this.”

The Nissan Stadium is scheduled to open in 2027.

Keep reading

UK rap duo faces ‘hate crime’ probe over anti-genocide chants at Glastonbury

British authorities have launched a criminal investigation into the Glastonbury Music Festival performances of Kneecap and Bob Vylan, UK police announced on 30 June.

During their performance at the festival on Saturday, punk-rap duo Bob Vylan led tens of thousands in a chant of “Death, Death to the IDF,” in reference to the Israeli military that is committing genocide in Gaza, and “Free, Free Palestine.”

Avon and Somerset Police stated that a criminal investigation is now underway, citing hate crime laws.

“A senior detective has been appointed to lead this investigation,” a police spokesperson said. “This has been recorded as a public order incident at this time while our enquiries are at an early stage.”

The investigation will be “evidence-led and will closely consider all appropriate legislation, including relating to hate crimes,” the statement added.

Following the concert, US authorities revoked Boby Vylan’s US visas. The artists were also dropped by their agent at the US-based United Talent Agency.

Irish-language rap trio Kneecap took the stage next despite calls for them to be banned from performing. A member of the group, rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, is facing a terror charge after displaying a flag in support of the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah at a performance in London last November.

The criminal investigation comes as the UK continues to crack down on pro-Palestine speech, journalism, and activism.

On Monday, the UK campaign group Palestine Action announced that it had launched legal proceedings to block the British government’s move to proscribe the group under anti-terror laws, a step that would make membership a criminal offense.

The legal challenge follows Home Secretary Yvette Cooper’s announcement that she plans to place Palestine Action on the UK’s list of banned organizations, citing what she called the group’s “long history of unacceptable criminal damage.” 

Keep reading