On Wednesday 25th January, 57-year-old Robin A Rhodes of Worcester, Massachusetts kicked and threatened a Delta Airlines worker who was wearing a head scarf at John F. Kennedy international Airport in New York.
Between the times of 7:10 p.m. and 9:45 p.m Robin entered the Delta Air Lines Sky Club lounge in Terminal 2, he was waiting for a connecting flight back home to Massachusetts. He spotted Muslim Delta Airline worker Rabeeya Khan, who was wearing a hijab, sitting in her office.
Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown reported on the incident, Robin entered the office and said to the employee, "Are you [expletive] sleeping? Are you praying? What are you doing?" following a punch to the door which swung and hit the back of the hijab wearers chair. Robin made further threats towards the Muslim woman before kicking her in her right leg. Rabeeya tried to escape but Robin blocked the door she moved to the corner of the room and asked what she did to make him this angry, he replied, "You did nothing, but I am going to kick your [expletive]."
Another employee came to Rabeeya's aid, the hijab-wearer took the opportunity to escape the room and stood by the front desk. Robin followed Rabeeysa and began to mock the Islamic Prayer, he got down on his hands and knees and shouted, "[Expletive] Islam, [expletive] ISIS, Trump is here now. He will get rid of all of you. You can ask Germany, Belgium, and France about these kinds of people. You will see what happens."
The police arrived and subdued Rhodes, he allegedly said to the officer, "I guess I am going to jail for disorderly conduct. I couldn't tell if it was a man or woman because their back was to me and they had something covering their head."
The prosecutor stated that Ms. Khan suffered substantial pain from the kick by Robin and as a result sustained redness in her right leg.
Robin A Rhodes was arrested and charged with assault, unlawful imprisonment, menacing and harassment as hate crimes, and related charges. If he is found guilty he could face up to four years in prison.