Muslim Students Report Burglaries and Hate Literature at Idaho State

[IDemo]

Federal officials and the local police are investigating burglaries and hate literature that appear to be directed at Muslim students attending Idaho State University in Pocatello, where tensions have recently risen over an influx of students from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

In an email to Idaho State faculty and students Wednesday, the university’s president, Arthur C. Vailas, said the homes of about 50 Middle Eastern students had been burglarized over the past several weeks. “As a result of these crimes, some of our students are seriously considering leaving I.S.U. and Pocatello,” the email said.

The burglaries follow reports that 17 vehicles, many belonging to Middle Eastern students, were vandalized last year, Mr. Vailas’s email said. More recently, DVDs containing hate messages were left on a number of car windshields on campus.

The Pocatello police chief, Scott Marchand, said that his office was investigating the burglaries but had received reports of about two dozen, not 50. He also said there had been about 70 residential burglaries in town since Jan. 1.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/15/us/muslim-students-report-burglaries-and-hate-literature-at-idaho-state.html

[IDemo]

1. Update: Attacks against middle eastern students at ISU turn violent

POCATELLO -- Nearly fifty Idaho State University students have become victims of vandalism and burglary because of their race, according to officials at Idaho State University. This week, the crimes turned violent when one person of Middle Eastern descent was stabbed.

Pocatello Police have confirmed the stabbing on Wednesday night. Students told KPVI they are frustrated, scared, and fear for their safety.

Students shared pictures of hateful messages left on car windshields, and showed how shot were fired or rocks were thrown at their cars.

The students told KPVI they wanted to remain anonymous, but said they are terrified, and some said they would not be returning to ISU.

http://www.ktvb.com/news/education/isu-president-speaks-out-after-middle-east-students-targeted/133704510

[Mosby]

2. their "race"

Arabs are Caucasians.

[IDemo]

3. Racism was mentioned in the Pocatello ABC News affiliate's headline

I'm not seeing it referenced anywhere in the ISU President's message or in student interviews.

http://www.kpvi.com/news/isu-middle-eastern-students-speak-out-about-racism/syndicaster_d9e81a66-029b-11e6-9d4f-8faf4a1a3337.html

[Odin2005]

4. Cue the DU Islamophobes defending the bigots.