REDMOND, Wash. – Redmond Police released surveillance video of a man vandalizing the Muslim Association of Puget Sound last weekend.
Surveillance footage shows a man in dark clothing striking the sign repeatedly with what appears to be a long pipe or club. While the images of the suspect are grainy, someone may recognize the flatbed truck. Officials do not believe the driver of the truck is a suspect, but they think the driver could be a witness.
Members of the mosque discovered the vandalism Saturday morning.
“To come over here and see it personally myself, it's gut-wrenching,” said MAPS spokesperson Aneelah Afzali. “It really hurts.”
This hate crime is part of a disturbing national trend. The Southern Poverty Law Center has been tracking 1100 hate-related incidents across the country since the election. From November 9th to December 12th, 315 were anti-immigrant, 221 were anti-black, and 112 were anti-Muslim.
The attacks prompted local Democratic leaders to declare Washington a Hate Free State Monday, placing a large part of the blame on the new administration.
“This moment is specific, because President-elect Donald Trump has given license to hate and discriminate and legislate against numerous communities through his campaign rhetoric,” said Congresswoman-elect Pramila Jayapal of the state’s 7th congressional district.
MAPS which has a congregation of about 5,000 families still opened its doors to the community for a gingerbread house-making event the very same day.
“To have an event like that was really powerful, the contrast, between this ugly act of hate of one person versus the overwhelming show of solidarity to come together,” said Afzali. “To build something instead of destroying.”
If you have any information on the suspect, contact Redmond Police Department.
Related: Surveillance footage of Redmond mosque vandalism (attack about 2 minutes 15 seconds in)
