In NJ - setting a student's turban on fire= setting a trash can on fire

[NJmaverick]

I am sure this was probably posted before, but I don't they noticed the charges and how offensive and racist they were. I am quite upset that this racist hate monger was charged with the same crimes he would have been charged with, if he had set a trash can on fire.

A routine fire drill at Hightstown High School in Mercer County turned terrifying for one student.

As students gathered outside on school grounds one morning last week, someone came up behind a 16-year-old junior, a member of the Sikh faith, and allegedly set the boy's turban on fire.

SNIP

An 18-year-old Hightstown senior, Garrett Green, was arrested hours later and charged with arson and criminal mischief, said Ben Miller, an investigator with the Hightstown Police Department.

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-10/12106533577840.xml&coll=1

[Taverner]

1. Isn't this a fucking hate crime?

[JuniperLea]

3. I'd say so...

If the student were a Jew and the head wear were a yarmulke, it would be.

[Taverner]

4. Of course, the defense will argue the turban is not a religious symbol

And it isn't - the purpose of the turban is to keep hair (which Sikhs aren't supposed to cut) out of their face.

But this is a Cultural Hate Crime.

[NJmaverick]

5. At the very least it should be considered an assult

[Cant trust em]

2. ummm. I don't really know what to say about that.

:shakemyhead:

[msongs]

6. how about attempted murder? nt