CAIR-LA Calls for Hate Crime Probe of Armed Threat Targeting Peaceful Pro-Palestine Demonstrators in Corona

 The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today welcomed the arrest of a man who allegedly threatened to kill two peaceful pro-Palestinian demonstrators while brandishing a knife. The organization also called on law enforcement to investigate the incident as a hate crime.  

On Saturday, Nov. 7, the two demonstrators organized a peaceful banner drop along a freeway overpass in Corona, displaying the U.S. and Palestinian flags with a sign reading, “Honk for Peace.”  

The suspect reportedly pulled over on the overpass and exited his vehicle, yelling at the demonstrators. He allegedly grabbed the Palestinian flag and attempted to flee with it before returning to his vehicle, brandishing a knife, and threatening to, “Come back to kill you guys.” 

The Corona Police Department promptly responded to the incident and arrested the suspect that same day after one of the victims positively identified him.  

In a statement, CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush said: 

“No one who calls for peace or expresses solidarity with the Palestinian people should have to live in fear. Yet, over the past three years, we have witnessed a broad climate of hostility in which constitutionally protected free speech is increasingly subjected to threats, harassment, and in some cases, violence. This type of unchecked bigotry and aggression cannot be tolerated in a healthy democracy, especially when it involves death threats to peaceful and law-abiding demonstrators.  

“We commend the Corona Police Department for their swift response to the incident and welcome the suspect’s arrest. We also urge law enforcement to thoroughly investigate this attack and the suspect’s motives, including launching a hate crime probe, and to recommend the appropriate criminal charges to the Riverside County District Attorney.”   

CAIR-LA encourages the community to report any bias or hate incidents by contacting its Civil Rights Department at (714) 776-1177 (ext. 2) or submitting an online intake form. 

CAIR-LA is Southern California’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice and empower American Muslims. 

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