Anti-Muslim graffiti found at gas stations

Statements include ‘all Muslims must die’

By:Vanessa S. Holt
   FLORENCE — Two gas stations on Route 130 were vandalized Sept. 12 with angry graffiti which appears to refer to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, said police.
   The owner of the Amoco gas station at Route 130 south and Cedar Lane reported at 2:57 p.m. Sept. 12 that someone had spray-painted the words "Jihad has come" in black paint on the rear wall of the building, and in yellow paint the slogan "consequences will be rendered" was sprayed on the wall, said police.
   Graffiti at the Sunoco station at Route 130 and Hornberger Avenue painted on the unlocked public restroom wall included the slogans "all Muslims must die" and "revenge will be taken" in yellow paint and "Osama bin Laden will pay" in black paint, according to police.
   Police said the graffiti falls under the category of bias crimes because it includes anti-Muslim sentiments.
   None of the gas station employees are of the Muslim faith, but police said the stations may have been targeted because the vandals assumed the employees were Muslim.
   The owner of both gas stations and the employees are originally from India, and of the Sikh religion, said Police Capt. Joseph Gadbois.
   "It is inappropriate, regardless (of their faith)," he said. "This is a terrible tragedy, but we need to focus," said Capt. Gadbois. "Let’s not fight amongst ourselves. People shouldn’t lash out with anger at someone who is not involved; all of the employees were very upset that people thought they were part of this."
   Capt. Gadbois said police are investigating the incidents.
   "I can assure you when we do locate the ones responsible they will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law as a bias crime," he said.