What is triggering hate crimes in the US?
Fatal stabbing in Portland by a white supremacist highlights the growing dangers of bigotry and racism in the country.
The fatal stabbing of two men who tried to stop a white supremacist from yelling anti-Muslim slurs on a train in the city of Portland has turned the spotlight on bigotry and intolerance in the United States.
The men killed were standing up to a known racist who was heard verbally abusing two young women, one of them a Muslim wearing a headscarf.
Their alleged attacker is now facing trial for aggravated murder and other charges.
Was the attack an isolated incident or evidence of a growing trend?
Presenter: Hazem Sika
Guests:
Frederick Lawrence – Former assistant US attorney and chief of the civil rights unit for the Southern District of New York
Harris Zafar – Author of “Demystifying Islam: Tackling the Tough Questions”
Brian Levin – Criminologist, attorney and professor at California State University