WEBDESK: A 64-year-old woman identified as Alexandra Szustakiewicz in suburban Chicago has been charged with hate crimes after allegedly confronting and attacking a Palestinian American man and his pregnant wife.
The incident occurred at a Panera Bread restaurant in Downers Grove on Saturday.
According to AP News, the woman, the woman, reportedly shouted expletives at the man over his sweatshirt, which had “Palestine” written on it. When his wife began recording the encounter on her cellphone, Szustakiewicz allegedly attempted to knock the phone out of her hands and physically attacked the man.
Szustakiewicz was arrested on Sunday and now faces two felony hate crime charges and a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge. She appeared in court on Monday, where a judge ordered her to stay away from the victims and the restaurant. Her next court hearing is scheduled for December 16.
The DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office described the attack as a hate crime motivated by the victims’ perceived national origin. State’s Attorney Robert Berlin condemned the behavior, stating that such prejudice has no place in society.
The man involved said he shielded his pregnant wife during the altercation as she filmed the incident. Authorities continue to investigate the matter.
Read more: Gender pay gap narrows marginally in Australia, government report shows
