New Jersey man pleads guilty to vandalizing Rutgers University Islamic Center

WASHINGTON, Oct. 11 — A New Jersey man pleaded guilty to a federal hate crime at Rutgers University for vandalizing property at its Islamic Life Center in what the Justice Department called ” acts of hatred fueled by the Islamophobe.”

The incident took place in April, on the occasion of Eid.

Why it matters

Rights advocates have noted an increase in threats against American Muslims, Arabs and Jews since the outbreak of Israeli wars in Gaza and Lebanon following the October 7, 2023 attack by Palestinian Hamas militants.

Universities have had to deal with such incidents in recent months. Threats of violence against Jews at Cornell University led to a 21-month sentence for the man who pleaded guilty to the threats.

Key quote

“This defendant is being held responsible for acts of hate fueled by Islamophobes,” Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke said Thursday.

The defendant, Jacob Beacher, 24, broke into the center and damaged property, including religious items and items containing terms from the Quran, the Justice Department said, adding that he stole a Palestinian flag.

Context

Other recent, more violent incidents in the United States include the attempted drowning of a 3-year-old Muslim girl in Texas, the fatal shooting of a 6-year-old Muslim boy in Illinois, the shooting of a Muslim man in Texas, the beating of a Muslim man in New York and a violent mob attack on pro-Palestinian protesters in California. -Reuters