On April 23, 2019, Isiah Joel Peoples, a 34-year-old Army veteran,
drove his car into a group of eight people at the intersection of Sunnyvale Saratoga Road and El Camino Real in Sunnyvale, CA. The attack left seven injured, including a 13-year-old in critical condition. Sunnyvale Police Chief Phan Ngo announced Friday that an investigation uncovered evidence that Peoples may have “intentionally targeted the victims based on their race and his belief that they were of the Muslim faith.” The FBI confirmed Saturday it had opened a federal hate-crime investigation into the Tuesday crash.
The South Asian Bar Association of Northern California (SABA-NC) is saddened by this incident, especially so close to home and following a series of recent attacks on communities of faith. SABA-NC commends the investigation of this incident as a hate crime and encourages a thorough investigation. We stand in solidarity with the Muslim community and call on all South Asians to work together to fight against hate and injustice.
