Somalis under siege In Winthrop: Family claims it's being targeted by racist teens
Source:BostonHerald
By Brian Ballou
Friday, September 16, 2005 - Updated: 05:57 PM EST
A family from Somalia that fled its war-torn homeland for Boston – then moved from Roxbury to Winthrop last month to escape inner-city violence – says it has become a target of racist assaults and threats from local white teens.
``All my mom ever wanted for her family is peace, and she thought she finally found that here in Winthrop, but it just seems like we can't go anywhere and be safe,'' said Mohamed Mohamed, 16.
Mohamed, the second-oldest of seven siblings in the family, said police arrested several attackers after he and other family members were assaulted a month ago and again last week by a hate-fueled mob of Winthrop High School students. ``They told us to go back where we came from,'' he said. ``They all had sticks and stones.''
Winthrop police Chief David Goldstein confirmed at least one arrest was made of a juvenile in connection with the incidents.
The attacks started at an outdoor basketball court soon after the family moved in last month, according to Mohamed. He said the last incident occurred Sept. 7 or 8 when about six white teens got out of a car parked in front of his house. The teens beat up his brother and cousin and threw a large rock at his mother, who was standing on her second-story porch, he said. His mother, Fatuma Abu, 42, said she has difficulty walking because the rock hit her ankle. Her comments were translated by her 17-year-old daughter, Khadija.
``I'm just surprised by all this. How could those boys come here and hurt us for no reason?'' she asked. Khadija said she and her siblings are extremely fearful about starting school Monday because of threats made by some of the teens.
``The police and the school are working hand in hand on this investigation,'' said Goldstein, who declined to comment further.
But Winthrop High School Principal Steve Chrabaszcz said yesterday he had not talked with police about the incidents. ``I've heard that a Somalian family has moved in and there have been tensions from a group of boys. But nothing has occurred on campus. And that's about it. They haven't registered for school yet,'' he said, referring to the Somali family
David Procopio, spokesman for the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office, said, ``We are not involved at this point, but once the case does reach our office at time of arraignment, the facts of the case will be reviewed to determine whether there is evidence to warrant civil rights charges.''
