The dangerous consequences of racism in “the citadel of democracy”

A man who targeted Muslims and Arabs in a firebombing campaign against five Queens buildings has been jailed for 20 years, the American media writes.

Suraj Poonai Ray Lazier Legend, 45, of Queens Village told police his goal was to kill as many Muslims and Arabs as possible the night he sped through Jamaica tossing flaming, gasoline-filled bottles at a mosque, a Hindu place of worship, homes and a deli, said Queens District Attorney.

The attacks happened on Jan. 1, 2012, when Legend threw the first gas-filled bottle ablaze at a Hindu place of worship on 170th Street, causing a fire on the front lawn. Legend said in a statement to police that he disliked Muslims, Arabs and Hindus.

Soon after, Legend threw more blazing bottles into a private home on 43rd Avenue and a deli at 179th Street and Hillside Avenue. He then drove to another home on 107th Avenue and threw a flammable device through a bedroom window. Legend launched his last fire bomb at the Al Khoei Benevolent Association, a mosque located at 89-89 Van Wyck Expressway, causing fire damage to its exterior.

“Hate crimes and arson are a volatile mix meant to inflict suffering and intimidation on its victims,” Queens District Attorney said. “In this case, the targets of the defendant’s hate-filled arson attack ranged from private dwellings to houses of worship and endangered the lives of those within the buildings as well as the firefighters called to respond to the scene. As such the sentence imposed by the Court is more than warranted.”

Legend, who pleaded guilty to attempted arson as a hate crime in September, was sentenced Thursday to 20 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision.

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Earlier, media reported that one British man has been arrested for his Facebook post which said he had no worries about ending the life of any Muslim. The post has later been removed from his account. Eric King, 63, of St Austell, Cornwall, England, has been sharing other hateful posts and comments on social media including a video of a man urinating on the Quran.

Another post of King’s account said: “Islam needs to be wiped off the face of the earth, if that means killing all Muslims, so be it,” above a shared post from Britain First regarding religion in Germany.”

Angry at ISIS activities, King posted on his facebook account on September 15 saying: “Why are we being forced to except all these immigrants, they are the scum of the world I hate every one of them, I have no worries about ending the life of any Muslim, they are more than happy to end the lives of all white people, the day is coming when we the white true people of the UK will revolt and take the country back.” This post has been removed from his account later.

Among others who complained about King’s hate speech both online and offline, a man from his neighbourhood said requesting anonymity: “The violent threats towards Muslims worry me greatly having friends and knowing people of that faith live locally. I would expect them to speak up regarding extremist and I don’t see Mr King’s hate speech any differently.”

British police said: “A 63-year-old man from St Austell was arrested on suspicion of publishing threatening written material intending to stir up religious or sexual orientation hatred. The suspect has now been released under investigation pending further enquiries to be carried out.”