Target: Ken J. Mascara, Sheriff of St. Lucie County, Florida
Goal: Thank Sheriff Ken J. Mascara and the police of Sr. Lucie County for arresting and charging the man allegedly responsible for setting a mosque ablaze.
The man allegedly responsible for setting a Florida mosque ablaze has been arrested and charged with arson with hate-crime enhancement, a felony. The man, Joseph Schreiber, may also face federal charges and can face anywhere from 30 years to life in prison for his alleged violent act of hate.
Surveillance video captured Schreiber allegedly using an unidentified liquid and handful of paper to start the blaze shortly after midnight on the morning of September 12, later fleeing the scene on motorcycle. The mosque damaged in the fire, the Islamic Center of Fort Pierce, was the mosque that was attended by the Orlando Pulse Nightclub shooter. Since the shooting, it had seen a sharp increase in the threats and hate crimes directed towards its worshipers.
Schreiber has a history of anti-Islamic sentiments, police say, and he broadcasted his views through his social media accounts. He also has a criminal history that includes theft, trespassing, and resisting arrest.
National outcry was voiced after the mosque was damaged due to the arson and a manhunt was underway for the suspect. A petition on ForceChange was published, demanding justice for the mosque and the Islamic community and pleading that the suspect be charged to the fullest extent of the law.
Thank Sheriff Ken J. Mascara and the police of St. Lucie County for their hard work in identifying, arresting, and charging Schreiber with not only arson, but also a hate crime. As anti-Islamic rhetoric and actions are unfortunately on the rise in our nation, those who engage in such horrible treatment of others should be punished.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Sheriff Mascara,
Thank you for working hard to identify, arrest, and charge the man allegedly responsible for the hate crime and arson in your area. Since the horrible terrorist attack in June, the Islamic Center of Fort Pierce has been the victim of increased threats and hate crimes, and sustained serious damage after it was set ablaze, allegedly by Joseph Schreiber.
Unfortunately, hateful rhetoric and speech, and even violent actions, have been carried out against the nation’s Muslim community. By your arresting and holding Schreiber accountable for not only arson, but also a hate crime, an example is being set to others who think that violence and hate is the answer. All people have a right to exercise whichever religion they like, without fear of being harmed by those who ignorantly disagree with them. Thank you for taking a violent, hate-filled man off the street.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Lisa Runnels
stop burning them down!