by Ralph Hexter, Robb Davis and Adela de la Torre
Early Sunday morning, the Islamic Center of Davis, a place of worship for members of the UC Davis and Davis Muslim communities, suffered serious vandalism. Six exterior windowpanes were shattered, two bicycles on the property were destroyed, and strips of uncooked bacon were placed on an exterior door handle. The City of Davis Police Department is investigating the incident as a hate crime.
We want to express the disgust, outrage, and sadness we feel over this incident. We know that it has caused, and continues to cause, great distress and fear among members of the Muslim communities at UC Davis and in the City of Davis. We extend to both our deep sympathy and unwavering support.
Acts and words of hatred directed toward Muslims as a group is an urgent and growing problem across our society. Solving that problem will require greater awareness, understanding, and cooperation among all of us. As leaders of the university and the city, we affirm our commitment to doing all we can to eliminate anti-Muslim hatred, and to respond swiftly whenever it appears on the campus or in the city.
Behind our commitment is our strong belief that inclusion of and respect for people from all backgrounds is a simple matter of justice and of recognizing the innate dignity that all humans share. In addition, we have seen how both our university and city are greatly enriched by the presence and contributions of our Muslim populations. Hateful acts or words toward any group have no place at UC Davis or in Davis—indeed, they are direct violations of the Principles of One Community signed by the City of Davis and UC Davis, of the UC Davis Principles of Community, and of city policy.
We want to ensure that all who have been adversely affected by this incident feel safe and supported. At UC Davis, walk-in counseling services are available in the Student Health and Wellness Center, and students can speak with an advice nurse by calling 530-752-2349. In addition, Student Affairs is working closely with colleagues in the UC Davis Middle East/South Asia Studies community to provide additional support. And campus leadership is partnering with members of the Davis Islamic Center to establish healing and support spaces for our students during this difficult time.
UC Davis and the City of Davis are home to people of the Muslim faith from around the world. Each one enriches our lives and brings new perspectives to our community. We will continue our work to support and protect them and to stand against those seeking to sow fear.
Ralph J. Hexter is the Interim Chancellor of UC Davis, Adela de la Torre is the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Campus Diversity, Robb Davis is the Mayor of the City of Davis
The Statement is ok but where is the ” terrorist” from the published video . https://www.nytimes.com/video/us/100000004890142/vandalism-at-davis-mosque.html
Not sure the term “terrorist” is stated, nor directly implied… maybe I missed that memo…
I believe the joint statement has language that is a bit “over the top” on several points… yet, vandalism is reprehensible, and illegal… the fact that it was a place of worship, double the reprehensible… the implication that it was directed towards a particular religion (likely?) makes it even more reprehensible, but not more illegal.
“the implication that it was directed towards a particular religion (likely?) makes it even more reprehensible, but not more illegal.”
It depends what you mean by more illegal. Vandalism is a less serious charge than vandalism with a hate crime.
So, a crime against a ‘house of worship’ is not a “hate crime”? If it was against a Catholic/Protestant/Mormon/Unitarian ‘house of worship’, it would not be a “hate crime”? Obviously if it was a Bahai/Jewish/Islamic/AME, etc., tho’, it is?
Maybe I’m not understanding your parsing (or you didn’t understand mine)… if you acknowledge that any vandalism against any ‘house of worship’ is inherently a hate crime, whether bacon, etc. were placed or not, I might agree with your rebuttal…
Catholic/Protestant/Mormon/Unitarian ‘house of worship’, it would not be a “hate crime
Howard
We don’t know yet if the “hater” showed by the video normally is wearing burka and veil or traditional Hasidic cloth or perhaps is the Milo’s follower or perhaps some idiot and moron having fun in the middle of the night.
Catholic/Protestant/Mormon/Unitaria are the oppressors according to :
I agree with your basic premise… we don’t know… I’ve agreed with you that no one should read too much into the ‘facts’ as we know them now… someone, saying categorically, that it was a hate crime, if limited only to the nature of the house of worship, is a bit presumptive at his point…
Howard
The previous article about was entitled “Hate Crime against Davis Islamic Center Leaves Community on Edge” . The title means that community is being terrorized and terrified psychologically or physically . You probably remember the article about the anonymous threatening letter sent to the Davis Islamic Center.
Ok… did not associate “threat” to “terrorism”… but understand where others may… the “eye of the beholder” thing… accept that you used the term, as you see it…