Muslim Woman Accuses Chicago Police Of Racial Profiling, Tackling Her

By Stephen Gossett in News on Jun 30, 2016 7:26PM

A Muslim woman is accusing Chicago police of profiling after she was tackled by officers as she ran to catch the train, according to CBS Chicago.

Itemad “Angel” Almatar was charged with reckless conduct and resisting arrest over the incident, which took place Fourth of July last year. A Cook County judge on Wednesday found her not guilty.

CTA surveillance footage shows five police officers grab Almatar, who was wearing a baseball cap and hijab, on the stairs of the State/Lake L stop in the Loop. Police claim they called out for Almatar to stop, but the footage does not contain video and other commuters appear to proceed.

Below is the footage, along with the CBS broadcast:

"They asked me why I put my food inside my bag, why I'm Muslim, why I'm fasting, why I'm wearing these clothes, why I cover my body,” Almatar says in the vieo.

She claims she suffered further mistreatment after police took her in.

"She was strip searched, videographed, and at the same time men were allowed to see her naked. This is the ultimate horror you can do to a Muslim woman,” said Imam Malick Mujahid, a local Muslim community leader, in the video report.

No formal charges have been filed, but Almatar plans to pursue a federal civil rights lawsuit soon, according to CBS.

Chicagoist has reached out to the Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender, the State's Attorney's Office, and the Chicago Police Department for comment. We will update this post accordingly.