OBSESSION WITH ISLAM?
Muslims Under Attack in US -
After 28 million DVDs sent out against Muslims
| Muslim Girl Attacked in College Restroom - Who's Next? |
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| More Attacks Against Muslims in US |
Last weekend - ELMHURST, IL. Muslim Student Attacked at Gunpoint in college campus restroom. Students held public protest!
The US has it's own "radicals" ~ See the latest news stories. Some are going after anyone who follows Islam - a real "obsession".
All this comes just after the release of 28,000,000 DVDs of a movie: "Obsession" ~ showing Muslims (radicals?) as the enemy of liberty and freedom in general and the US in particular . . . Whole Story - Click Read more . . .
This is not the first time Muslims have fallen under attack. In fact, according to one source, all attacks have been directed only to Muslims. This particular attack happened after another incident now being investigated as a hate crime.
A university student group at the school staged the sit-in to protest the crime and any acts of discrimination.A Muslim student from Oak Brook was attacked in a campus building by a gun-wielding masked man. It happened in a first floor bathroom when the girl was bludgeoned with the gun. The attacker even left a death threat before escaping into the night.
"They wrote on the mirror of the bathroom… 'kill the Muslims," said Elmhurt College junior Soofia Ahmed.
After the physical attack occurred, Elmhurst police and college security officers placed the entire campus on lockdown from about 10 to 11 p.m. They advised everyone on campus to stay indoors in a safe place. Some students were notified by a new emergency text message system, and a bulletin was posted on the home page of the college's Web site.
"It said all the doors are locked and to remain in a locked area," said Stephanie Schumacher.
The student was reportedly attacked between 8:30 and 8:45 p.m. in a basement bathroom of the Schaible Science Center, Elmhurst College spokesman Charles Henderson said. The school's address is 190 Prospect Ave.
"She's OK. She left the campus under her own power last night," Henderson said. He also noted college officials are getting conflicting reports of injuries.
About a week ago the same woman who was victimized Thursday night found her locker defaced with the words "Die Muslims." The graffiti included a swastika along with other threats aimed at Muslim students.
Carly Notorangelo saw those written threats and last night saw her friend lying on the floor.
"I left that meeting, I found my friend, my sister, one of the most courageous people I know, unconscious on the floor, because somebody hit her with a gun. Because they don't think it's OK for her to express her love for God by wearing a piece of cloth on her head," Notorangelo said.
Notorangelo said she wasn't sure if her friend was going to make it. "I had to check her breathing, and her pulse."
"There was at least one student organization meeting (in the building at the time of the attack). The building was by no means locked," which is not unusual at that hour, Henderson said.
After the university initiated the lockdown, Elmhurst police searched the building, conducted a preliminary investigation and determined there was no longer a threat, according to the bulletin. The investigation is still open.
On Friday morning, students were more watchful as they came to class.
"It is very scary, and my heart goes out to those who were affected by it and their families," said Julia Primozic.
"When I saw the alert, I was like, wow. It was just mindboggling that this could happen in a small school," said Marlana Waller.
"I don't want something like NIU to happen, or Virginia Tech," said Caitlyn Scarpelli. "It's freaky, because it can."
Ahmed said all Muslims are victims.
"I do feel unsafe in this place I've called home for 21 years. And I can't help it. I really can't. I'm terrified out my wits to stand up here right now and convey how I feel to you," Ahmed said.
The victim, a sophomore or junior, reported being struck by the masked offender with his gun, but no shots were fired, Henderson said. The description of the alleged attacker is vague: a white male, about 5-feet-8-inches tall and wearing a ski mask.
The victim's mother said the victim is at home recovering and expects to speak to investigators Friday.
The woman has lived in the Chicago area her entire life and cannot believe anything like this could happen.
There were increased police patrols on campus Friday morning. There is a surveillance system on the campus, but it is not known whether it captured anything on tape.
