Tabshir Rizvi, 23, and Mohammed Faroun, 22, both of the northeastern part of Illinois, were charged with hate crimes last week for allegedly spray painting ‘free Gaza’ on a grocery store in Bloomingdale, Ill., on June 24, the office of the DuPage County state’s attorney stated.
Two men are accused of going to the international food aisle at a Woodman’s Food Market, climbing “the shelving unit under the Israeli flag” and spray painting the text on the Israeli flag.
“I find the charges against these two men extremely disturbing,” stated Robert Berlin, the DuPage County state’s attorney. “Hate crimes, such as alleged in this case, not only affect the intended target, but can also have a devastating effect on entire communities. As I have said before, DuPage County prides itself on being an extremely welcoming community to all and we will not tolerate any type of behavior based on hatred or prejudice.”
The duo is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 13.