Bombs away, please

Four locations in Queens rang in the first night of the new year with firebombs. An Islamic center, a bodega, a home used for Hindu worship, and the home of an African-American Christian family had firebombs thrown at them. A fifth location in Nassau County, the home of a desi family, was also targeted with a firebomb. No people were hurt in the attacks, and the NYT mentions that in three of the attacks the bombs used Starbucks Frappucino bottles.

This morning New York religious and community leaders will hold a press conference to denounce the attacks at Imam Al-Khoei, the Islamic center targeted by one of the firebombs. The state’s governor and NYC’s mayor have both spoken out against the attacks.

CBS New York reports that police released a sketch and surveillance video of the suspect, and that the NYPD will pay a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Crime Stoppers is offering a $2,000 reward. NY1 notes:  “Anyone with information on the attacks should contact the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS, or text CRIMES and then enter TIP577, or visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.”

8 thoughts on “Bombs away, please

  1. “Black-on-Desi”? Many Desis consider themselves black-skinned, but not African, of course. Krishna, “Karnataka”, and more groups within India mean some variation of the word “black”. A more precise descriptor of these hate-crimes is that it’s religiously motivated against primarily Hindus and Muslims. The suspect remains at large, and he loves Starbucks.

    • PRDN,

      In addition to what you wrote, I’d like to add that the Vedas describe a migration of Persians out of India rather than a migration of Indo-Europeans into India.