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Last updated on Friday, October 23, 2015
(BLOOMINGTON) - Bloomington Against Islamophobia is planning a demonstration to show support for the Muslim woman attacked this week at Sofra Cafe and to spread awareness of how negative stereotypes of Muslims can lead to violence.
The event is scheduled for noon Saturday at Sample Gates on Indiana University's campus. The group will march to the Monroe County Courthouse, where speakers from the university and community will speak.
Amanda Lanzillo, co-organizer of the event, says Islamophobia is a national and global issue and believed a collective community response to the attack was needed.
Denisa Jashari, another co-organizer, says it is important to show Muslims within the community have support in Bloomington, and the demonstration is hopefully a step toward more public discussion about racism and Islamophobia.
Another organization expressing support on social media at #hoosiersagainstthehate, is the Muslim Student Association. According to a statement posted on the IU Muslim Student Association's Facebook page, the public is invited to send out a message using the hashtag or to change their profile pictures to a logo prepared by the group to show support of Muslims in the community and stop the spread of hate.
A sit-in by the Islamic Center of Bloomington will be held Friday evening from 5 p.m. till 7 p.m. at Sofra Cafe, where the attack happened. Local woman are invited to come wearing a headscarves to show support for the woman attacked. Organizer Anna Maidi says a head covering is a physical symbol of this sister's faith and religion and at this event will be a symbol of solidarity and community unity.
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