A woman from the Chicago suburb of Darien has been charged with multiple counts of hate crimes following an incident at Panera Bread in Downers Grove, where she allegedly assaulted and verbally abused a couple due to their pro-Palestine attire.
The accused, 64-year-old Alexandra Szustakiewicz, was arrested after she confronted Waseem Zahran and his pregnant wife on Saturday, November 18, during what was supposed to be just another lunch outing. Zahran, who identified himself as Palestinian, reported encountering hostility when Szustakiewicz began shouting expletives at them after noticing their clothing emblazoned with the word "Palestine."
Feeling threatened, Zahran said, "She came closer to our face, and then started like asking, 'Are you Palestinian?'" He confirmed his identity, and she reportedly screamed, "[Expletive] Palestine," at him. Zahran described the encounter as unprovoked and fueled by sheer hate.
According to police reports, Szustakiewicz initiated the physical confrontation, which escalated to the point where she attempted to hit Zahran, lunged at his wife, and even tried to slap Zahran's phone out of her hand as she began recording the incident.
The escalation of the incident was well-documented, as Zahran's wife recorded portions of the altercation, capturing Szustakiewicz's aggressive actions, including her attempting to throw hot coffee at Zahran and his wife. Despite this shocking encounter, they felt compelled to share the footage on social media. Zahran expressed, "I rather have the video go out and be public about it than be quiet about it and let her get, you know, go away from it."
Downers Grove police responded to disturbance calls shortly after the incident was reported, but Szustakiewicz had left the scene by the time officers arrived. She was later arrested at home and is now facing charges including two counts of hate crime and one count of disorderly conduct.
During her court appearance, she was granted pre-trial release on the condition she not contact the victims or return to the Panera Bread location. Her next court date is set for December 16.
This incident occurs against the backdrop of rising tensions surrounding expressions of Palestinian identity and the backlash against them. Zahran mentioned he has received death threats following the viral sharing of the altercation, stating, "I received death threats, saying how like, ‘I hope your baby dies’ and ‘I hope your wife gets deported when Trump is back.’" Despite the negative backlash, Zahran expressed he remains proud of his heritage, stating, "I'm really proud of being Palestinian. And I love my country, America, and I love Palestine... Just be human. Have a heart."
The Public reaction to the incident has been mixed, with many condemning the hateful attack. Zahran reported receiving numerous supportive messages following the incident, which have encouraged him and his wife during this challenging time.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin addressed the serious nature of the incident, stating, "Every member of society, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation or any other individual characteristic, deserves to be treated with respect and civility. This type of behavior and the accompanying prejudice have no place in a civilized society, and my office stands ready to file the appropriate charges."
The incident has highlighted broader discussions concerning anti-Palestinian sentiment and hate crimes within suburban communities. Local police departments are encouraged to approach reports of hate crimes seriously, ensuring thorough investigations are conducted.
Prior to this incident, there have been several reports of hostility toward Palestinians and their supporters, including vandalism against Palestinian-owned businesses and hate speech directed at individuals displaying Palestinian symbols. A café on Chicago's North Side, for example, reported being targeted after displaying the Palestinian flag.
The situation at the Downers Grove Panera reflects not only individual acts of aggression but also the larger atmosphere of tension and division concerning issues related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, especially as they permeate daily life.
