A Muslim woman running to catch a train in Chicago last year was tackled and arrested for no reason -- and now she's claiming to be a victim of racial profiling.
CBS Chicago is reporting that Itemad “Angel” Almatar last year was running to make a train at the State/Lake station when she was tackled by several officers who tore off her hijab and opened up a backpack that contained food she had to end her Ramadan fast.
The police arrested her and charged her with reckless conduct and resisting arrest, although this week a judge found her not guilty of these charges. Although prosecutors claimed that the police told her to stop as they chased her up the stairs, video surveillance footage shows that no other passengers climbing the stairs with her turned around as the police charged up the stairs, which makes it hard to believe they were shouting at anyone.
"She was strip searched, videographed, and at the same time men were allowed to see her naked," said Imam Malick Mujahid, a Muslim community leader in Chicago. "This is the ultimate horror you can do to a Muslim woman."
"We know a couple things. There’s a Constitution, and the Constitution says you can’t just grab people for no reason whatsoever," said Aaron Goldstein, an attorney at the Cook County Public Defender's office.
Check out the full local news report on this case below.
