Meng Disturbed Over Injury of Grandfather Visiting from India

Statement

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) today expressed her concern over the recent incident in Madison, Alabama in which Sureshbhai Patel, a 57-year-old grandfather visiting from India, was partially paralyzed by a police officer accused of using excessive force.

"The episode in Madison, Alabama is very disturbing," said Meng. "We will be watching closely to see what happens with this case, and we hope and pray that Sureshbhai Patel recovers from his injury. We have a reason to be concerned over this and other recent incidents that may be directed towards the Muslim and South Asian community. Police say an Islamic school and family center in Houston burned down as the result of arson and investigators are examining whether race and religion played a role in the shooting of Muslim students in North Carolina. In addition, Texas Muslim Capitol Day was disrupted and derailed by protesters, a Muslim father was attacked outside a grocery store in Michigan, and vandals spray-painted a swastika on a Hindu temple in Washington state and on a nearby school with the words "Muslims Get Out.' Whether or not these incidents are Islamophobic, one thing is crystal clear: Nobody in our society must ever be subjected to hate and violence. All Americans have a responsibility to raise their voice and condemn bigotry when and wherever it occurs. Our fight against intolerance must continue until all hate crimes are a thing of the past."

Sureshbhai Patel was visiting his son in Alabama and was stopped by police as he walked in the neighborhood. A neighbor who was suspicious of Patel called 911. The officer has been arrested and faces dismissal.

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