A Muslim woman was reportedly attacked and robbed of her wallet and hijab on a college campus in the US south.
Authorities said the University of Louisiana student reported the alleged robbery Wednesday morning, and claimed one of the apparent attackers wore a white Donald Trump cap, according to The Advertiser.
Her claim draws on fears of anti-Muslim backlash in the wake of Mr Trump’s election to the US presidency. His campaign stoked fears of Muslim immigration to the US that appealed to much of his predominantly white, nationalistic supporters. Multiple reports of hate crimes against Muslims, Latinos, black people, and the LGBTQ community have already surfaced.
The 18-year-old woman – who is of Middle Eastern descent – claimed two men came out of a black sedan as she walked to class in Lafayette, according to a UL spokesperson. When they approached her, she said they hit her with a metal object. She fell and they allegedly stole her wallet and hijab, a traditional head-covering worn by some Muslim women.
“The victim describes the suspects as white males, but has not given a definitive clothing description,” police said in a statement. “There were no witnesses or video surveillance on the scene.”
The woman said that the men “were saying ugly stuff to her”, but did not elaborate further.
Lafayette Police and University of Louisiana police are working together on the investigation.
