Hate crimes against Muslims and Palestinians in Chicago have surged by 196 percent since 7 October, according to data from the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).
Maggie Slavin, operations manager at CAIR-Chicago, shared these alarming statistics in an interview with Anadolu, expressing serious concerns about the growing hostility. Slavin explained that incidents have been reported across workplaces, schools, and public spaces, with many individuals facing backlash for voicing support for Palestine.
Slavin also highlighted the mixed response from local law enforcement. While some police departments have shown cooperation, she described others as unresponsive, with delayed action and lack of urgency in addressing these incidents.
Moreover, Slavin noted an increase in federal scrutiny, drawing parallels to the heightened surveillance that followed the 9/11 attacks. “We’re getting numerous calls about inappropriate encounters with the FBI and other federal authorities,” she said, adding that many in the community feel they are being unjustly targeted.
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The Muslim-American community in Chicago is also facing significant challenges regarding freedom of speech. According to Slavin, many individuals have been censored or even punished for expressing pro-Palestinian views at their workplaces or schools, creating an environment of fear and restriction.
One particular incident that sparked outrage occurred at Redzovic Jiu Jitsu, a Muslim-owned martial arts academy in Lincoln Square, where shots were fired at the building. Despite the attack, the Chicago Police Department initially declined to categorize it as a hate crime, prompting CAIR-Chicago to call for further investigation.
The rise in hate crimes in Chicago mirrors a national trend. CAIR reported a 70 percent increase in anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian incidents across the United States in the first half of 2024, as tensions escalated due to the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. The organization received nearly 5,000 complaints, including the tragic stabbing of a 6-year-old Palestinian-American boy in Illinois.
The majority of these complaints involve immigration issues, employment and education discrimination, and hate crimes, painting a troubling picture of the rising hostility toward Muslims and Palestinians in the country.
