Republican senator advises Arab American witness to ‘cover your head with a bag’ at hate crimes hearing

During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on hate crimes, Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., repeatedly accused Arab American activist Maya Berry of supporting Hamas, a charge she vehemently denied. Kennedy also suggested she supported Hezbollah and Iran, despite Berry’s insistence that she does not support any violent entities. The tense exchange drew gasps from the audience and criticism from Democrats on the committee. Berry emphasized that hate crimes in the country often follow anti-immigrant rhetoric and highlighted the surge of hate crimes against Arab, Muslim, and Jewish Americans since a recent terrorist attack. She expressed disappointment in Kennedy’s line of questioning, stating that it exemplified the issue of hate in the country. Democrats on the committee criticized Kennedy’s remarks, emphasizing the importance of political leaders refraining from fanning the flames of hatred and division. Berry concluded that the introduction of foreign policy into a discussion about hate crimes is not conducive to keeping minority groups safe and highlighted the threat to democratic institutions. Kennedy’s office did not respond to requests for comment on the incident.

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