US fears spike in post-election attacks on minorities

US fears spike in post-election attacks on minorities
By Catherine Hardy with Reuters
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A US civil rights group says it is monitoring reports of several incidents targeting Muslims since Donald Trump's election victory on Tuesday. Activists are urging the president-elect to denounce the

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A US civil rights group says it is monitoring reports of several incidents targeting Muslims since Donald Trump’s election victory on Tuesday.

Activists are urging the president-elect to denounce the attacks.

Racial slurs. Nazi salutes. Islamophobic attacks.

Bigotry is already running rampant in the wake of President-elect Donald Trump's win. pic.twitter.com/qkjWtOpIh6

— Fusion (@Fusion) November 11, 2016

JUST IN: NYTimes</a> calls on Trump to denounce hateful attacks <a href="https://t.co/Ta4RROuLMK">https://t.co/Ta4RROuLMK</a> <a href="https://t.co/6HqzwjrQxw">pic.twitter.com/6HqzwjrQxw</a></p>&mdash; The Hill (thehill) November 11, 2016

What kind of attacks are we talking about?

The reports include at least two assaults on women in Islamic head scarves.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations or CAIR is also reporting racist graffiti and the bullying of immigrant children.

A female student in a hijab was assaulted and robbed at San Diego State University on Wednesday.

In a statement, the university said the assailants made comments to the victim in support of Trump and hurled anti-Muslim insults at her.

The case is being investigated as a hate crime.

A man pulled at the head scarf of a woman in a car park at San Jose State University, according to the authorities.

Rights group monitoring reports of attacks on U.S. minorities since Trump win https://t.co/E377xGpF9jpic.twitter.com/XvSvuC4ytl

— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) November 11, 2016

What has Trump said?

Trump’s campaign could not be reached for comment about these specific reports of attacks.

During the campaign, he called for a ban on Muslims entering the country, for security reasons.

He has made calls for unity since his victory.

Reports of attacks come as demonstrators across the country protest against Trump’s victory.

They have blasted his campaign rhetoric about immigrants, Muslims and women.

Mixed messages

The US President-elect has denounced Americans who protested against his election.

However, he went on to praise them hours later, underscoring the contradictions that have raised questions about his style of leadership.

What did Trump say?

Love the fact that the small groups of protesters last night have passion for our great country. We will all come together and be proud!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 11, 2016

“Love the fact that the small groups of protesters last night have passion for our great country. We will all come together and be proud,” he tweeted early on Friday.

This was a sharp shift in tone from his tweet hours earlier, dismissing demonstrators in eight cities as “professional protesters, incited by the media”.

Just had a very open and successful presidential election. Now professional protesters, incited by the media, are protesting. Very unfair!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 11, 2016

What the protesters say

Anti-Trump demonstrators have voiced concerns his presidency, due to start on January the 20th, would infringe on Americans’ civil and human rights.

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They cited his campaign promises to restrict immigration and register Muslims, as well as allegations concerning his attitude and behaviour towards women.

Ku Klux Klan

White supremacist groups, including the Ku Klux Klan, have welcomed Trump’s election.

Trump has rejected the KKK’s support.

Some civil rights advocacy groups have reported a spike of attacks on minorities since his win.

Ku Klux Klan to hold North Carolina rally celebrating Trump victory https://t.co/lGFoFbfV2fpic.twitter.com/UZ0rdHMvOU

— Yahoo News (@YahooNews) November 11, 2016

What they are saying

“It is the inevitable result of the mainstreaming of Islamophobia we have seen in recent months with the presidential campaign. Unfortunately, it really is up to Donald Trump to repudiate this kind of bigotry,” – CAIR Spokesman Ibrahim Hooper.

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