U.S. Commission on Civil Rights

WASHINGTON, DC -- In the wake of the overwhelming response to the toll-free hotline established to document claims of discrimination, harassment and hate crimes following last week's terrorist attacks, the United States Commission on Civil Rights has expanded its capacity to collect information by initiating a second toll-free hotline. The hotline can now be accessed by calling 1-866-76U-SCCR (1-866-768-7227) or by sending an email to referrals@usccr.gov. During a recent 12-hour period, the volume of calls peaked at approximately 70 telephone calls per hour.

The Commission will continue to receive complaints on the National Complaint Line (1-800-552-6843) and at referrals@usccr.gov as well.

Since it officially launched the hotline last Friday, the Commission has received hundreds of allegations of harassment and discrimination from Arab and South Asian Americans, as well as Muslims and others perceived to be from those communities. Incidents include:

• An Arab American family that has lived in a Northern Virginia community for more than 30 years, and has never experienced any problems, had their home badly vandalized and have decided to leave the country for Europe.

 

• A Bangladeshi Muslim caller from Texas stated that he has been harassed repeatedly at work and his complaints to supervisors have not been addressed. He feels that he is now being retaliated against for filing complaints - this week his immigration status was questioned by his employer despite being a legal permanent resident of the United States for nearly 20 years.

 

• A complainant encountered a sign in a New Jersey restaurant that read "Boycott Arab Businesses." Finding the sign demeaning and unfair, he complained to the restaurant manager who subsequently told him that if he did not like it, he could leave.