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Lowell Sun / Julia Malakie
Babylon owner Leyla Al-Zubaydi takes an order from Lily Faulkner, 10, who was eating with her father Cliff Krieger, left, and Jack Mitchell, right, both veterans from Lowell.
A group of veterans held an “eat-in” at an immigrant-owned restaurant to show support for the eatery after a man threw a 20-pound building stone through the front window, frightening the family and raising fears that they were the target of a hate crime.
Some 40 to 50 vets – from World War II, Vietnam, the Korean war and the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq -- turned up at the Babylon Restaurant in downtown Lowell, Mass., on Tuesday night.
The Al-Zubaydi family, who came to the U.S. in October 2010 from Uzbekistan, opened Babylon about seven months ago. Like other immigrants, they were simply trying to make their way in their new American home, said Patrick Scanlon, a Vietnam veteran and local coordinator of Veterans for Peace.
A few days after the incident, "I went over and met with them ... and they were scared," said Scanlon, 64, who has been working with Iraqi refugees for the last two years. "It had achieved it's goal of intimidation and fear."
"Something like that happens, it’s almost like a statement from the society, as far as they’re concerned," he added. "And, they don't know if there's other rock throwers out there ... that are looking to harm them."
Police said a New Hampshire man has confessed to the crime and will be charged with breaking glass in a building, a misdemeanor, the Lowell Sun reported. He will not be identified until he is arraigned, and police do not believe it was a hate-motivated crime.
"Unless this gentleman is lying to us -- and I don't believe that he is -- he didn't even know this restaurant was affiliated with people from Iraq," said Lowell police Superintendent Kenneth Lavallee.
The Al-Zubaydi family hails from Uzbekistan, but the father is Iraqi, said Bablyon owner Leyla Al-Zubaydi, 25.
About 50 Iraqi families live in Lowell, said Scanlon. He noted other attacks on Iraqis, including a man who had two rocks thrown through his windows and a woman wearing a head covering being called "terrorist" by a man as she walked home from a supermarket.
Scanlon said he believes the attack on the restaurant was a hate crime, asking why on a commercial street with dozens of shops the attacker chose Babylon.
"Now you're caught, are you going to admit that, 'yeah, it’s a hate crime'?" Scanlon said. "Why did he pick this one, that says 'Middle Eastern Iraqi food’ on it … It's hard to prove a hate crime, but regardless, it was a hate crime."
Leyla Al-Zubaydi said the family also doesn't believe it was a random attack. She said the family was trying to recover after such a scary episode, but the outpouring of support from the veterans renewed their confidence in the local community.
"It was so awesome, you cannot even imagine," Leyla said of the veterans' actions. "It was an honor for us to have them here and to see that support that they gave us."
More content from msnbc.com and NBC News:
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Hey as long as they immigrated here through the legal channels of America....... Welcome. I am sorry you will now be subject like the rest of us Americans to crazy people, thieves and poor leadership etc.
You forgot to mention police organizations that take twenty minutes to show up to a crime in progress (reference: the break-in in Oklahoma where the widow shot the intruder with 911 operator on the phone)
Goat Rancher Bob: It was under etc. Ha! :D)
P.S. Thank you Veterans.... Will you now organize a "sit in" or "butt kicking" to congress?
Go back to your goats Bob, the lady lived out in the country and county cop don't lurk around every corner. My county is about 30 miles long and 20 miles wide. On any given shift there are about 4 county patrols on duty. Please tell me how to post them so they can get to anywaher in 5 minutes or less. You Internet geniuses are a hoot, got a clue about nothing but then post like to know something.....
Chris, don't confuse Goat Bob with logic.
Where is this place called "Anywaher" Chris? Sounds awesome, like my hometown of Somewaher!
Chris - Did you ever hear of sarcasm?
There are still a lot of good people in this country and this community has proven that. Too bad the haters get all of the publicity.The boulder thrower should be charged with hate crimes.
Chris -- I fully agree that this sounds like a hate-crime; and if Lowell law enforcement brushes it under the rug as a simple act of vandalism, shame on them. Sounds like there's a lot of ignorance in Lowell. Good for the vets to come forward and show support for the restaurant owner.
I welcome you to America and wish you the best of luck with your restaurant. Your first big hurdle is to educate Americans about your cuisine.
Shout out to our vets........our military is awesome.
I think that those vets need to remember to spend their time better by supporting American people.....You say immigrants, not illegal immigrants but whatever they are they need to leave the few jobs that are available to American citizens.
They have created their own business so they have taken zero jobs from anyone, they help support local industry by buying goods and services for their business thus supporting local industries that employ local people.
How do you know they are not American or in the process of becoming an American, jeannie? Also, it was a family run business, they didn't take any jobs away but they may have created some.
The one (so far) vote "up" you got was from me. It was an accident, I meant to hit reply.
jeannie - Hate is seething from your comment. Clearly you have no ability to read the story and therefore missed the fact they opened their own restaurant therefore being self-employed and what's the friggin chance they've hired Americans for jobs. Oh my gawd -- an immigrant employing Americans.
My idea -- they stay -- you leave the country, one way ticket.
The number of stunned & stupid people is amazing.
Jeannie..........how sad. Your parent's or your parents parents were immigrants at one time. Unless you're nationality is of oh lets say Indian full blooded, would be the only thing that counted here you are a hypocrite.
Nothing wrong with other people coming over the LEGAL way... it is what America is all about! A mixed hodge podge of humans from ALL WALKS of this ONE EARTH.
You and people like you is what makes this world bitter, please take a look in the mirror you immigrant you, and get over being "American"... it is WHAT WE ALL ARE HERE IN THE USA" (those that are legal anyway!)
You need to remember this is a free country and we can choose to spend our money any where we see fit. Kudos to the brave American Vets, not only for serving their country but for showing the world that not all Americans are small minded bigots.
Welcome to America to the Al-Zubaydi family, may prosper in your new country.
Jeannie, I think those VETS have earned the right to support anyone in this country they chose to support. People like you are probably part of the reason this had to happen in the first place.
Jeannie, I have so much pity for you. Your comment is of absolute ignorance. Please re-read the article and do not be so bitter. The Al-Zubaydi family have every right to legally emigrate to the United States just like your ancestors did many years ago to fine and live a better life. And since this is the United States where its the land of the free and home of the brave, the Vets earned every DAMN right to support anyone they wish to support.
jeannie green Please spare us the BS about these good folks taking jobs from Americans. They came to this country and stuck to what they know and opened an eatery so they could serve up the food they known and love. That being the case, why don't more folks that are here, born and raised do the same? I bet if they did they could make a better life for themselves and they would be making their own way so if anything I would see what these folks are doing as a positive thing. Stop being a hater and start giving credit to the people that are willing to do the work instead of the ones that are looking for someone to take care of them.
So what are you saying they should do Jeannie - instead of opening a restaurant and perhaps directly creating jobs (and certainly indirectly creating jobs through buying supplies,etc.) that they should go on welfare? stand on the street corner and beg? what do you propose they should do?
jeannie green!
Unless you're a Native American....... remember that we're all immigrants in the US of A!! The only difference between this family, and the rest of us......is that we arrived a "bit earlier"!! Remember that, when you pledge allegiance to our Flag of the United States of America!!! It's now their Flag as well.......
Crime is crime, hate or no. A murder is no less heinous if it involves two people of the same persuasions.
Not all murders are equal though.
How is it that a 25 yr old who came from another (economically inferior) country a little more than a yr ago can own her own business? I doubt that she saved up and paid for the necessary capital all herself given her age and where she's worked for the majority of her life. I heard a rumor that the Small Business Administration offers special loan programs for immigrants, anyone know if that's true? I'm looking at starting my own business, what do these immigrants know that I don't??????
zeupercram
Quit buying iphones, xboxes, ipads, video games and you might save some money.
As for your comment that you doubt she saved up and of course then used the 'system' informs me you know nothing about and have no desire to know or educate yourself about immigrants.
America -- the land of 'I want it and I want it now' and 'charge it'
@ meede1 - Let's see... I don't own any of the items you mentioned, don't have a credit card, and am married to an African Muslim immigrant. We live a frugal lifestyle in a 1BR, low-end-of-the-market apt. Some folks don't understand that saving money is a luxury. Oh wait, we did have alot of repairs in the last few months on both of our 10yo cars. But that's probably my fault, too. Although, I did expect some angerer to attack me for asking a legitimate question, since this is an internet message board and all.
Please enlighten me, what do you know about immigrants that would put this business owner's situation into perspective? I mean, there's nothing in my original comment that's inconsistent with the info in the article.
The article said the (whole) family opened the restaurant, not just the girl. Furthermore, not all immigrants are poor when they get here. It is common for the well off to emigrate when their country becomes dangerous or unstable.
Actually, there are a lot of government programs out there to help a small business. Unfortunately, they do tend to favor immigrants and minorities (I see their reasoning but do not support their logic). There is one thing that has to change, and that is our governments financial support of new immigrants.
Many of us come from immigrants that had to have a sponsor in order to get across. They did not get any sort of welfare. It was "make it on your own or rely on your sponsor" There were no special privileges, there was no free medical, you either made it or you didn't. The government took it upon themselves to offer all of these goodies to immigrants, while making it harder for established Americans to play the game. They have also made it harder for small business (the backbone of America) to flourish among the multi national, multi company corporations, multi corporate businesses. Our laws and policies do not have the best interest of the people in mind. Our government has been bought and paid for by multi national/company/corporate businesses and the people that speculate on them
It also said, "Bablyon owner Leyla Al-Zubaydi, 25" But yes, if the whole family opened the restaurant and the parents contributed, then it does certainly make sense. Also, I already know that immigration requires that propective immigrants have a certain and significant amount of money saved to qualify, depending on their status, so most immigrants are actually bourgeois. The issue wasn't simply that she was an immigrant but also about her age.
Message to Zupercram:
My grandfather came to this country coming through Ellis Island; he was penniless but became a highly successful businessman in short order by hard work, long hours, and dedication. He received no "small business assn. assistance," etc.
You want to start a business? Well, if this is your attitude I doubt you will be successful in any business because you seem to have a sense that you deserve more than others just because you are you.
Try working hard and saving money instead of looking for a handout and get that chip off your shoulder.
@ abby - Where in any of my posts did I say I deserve a handout? Where is it implied that I deserve more than others? pj's post above is the only one that addresses the original issue I raised. As far as the chip on my shoulder, where did I show anger? Am I jealous? Sure, probably a little at first, but now I'm trying to think of how she did this. I just want to exploit the same programs that many immigrants do, so that means I have a sense of entitlement? What does that say about the immigrants who actually have used these programs? I'm sure many would say that they're parasites, but I doubt that's your position, abby. So many angerers, so little logic...
Why use the word "exploit"? At the risk of presumption, let us assume these folks immigrated to the United States of America for the same reasons millions of others have. The chance for a better life for their children,for a chance to enjoy and exercise the freedoms many take for granted, for the chance of living without fear, to practice their religion,etc. The few "exploit" what the US has to offer, the many give thanks for what is offered and repay our society with work and respect for the society that welcomes them.
You can get started at the SBA Web site, which is www(dot)sba(dot)gov/category/navigation-structure/starting-managing-business (sorry - the spam filter doesn't allow actual hyperlinks).
Lots of information on all aspects of starting a small business, including information on funding from all types of sources for all types of people.
As for the above family, in addition to family funding, they could also have received bank loans and not even dealt with the SBA. If they have a good business plan and decent collateral, a bank would be glad to provide funding.
Zupercan
If you believe immigrants are getting successful too much, well then, that's what all immigrants should be doing, and that's why they come here.
Maybe you might be successful when you quit spending hours lamenting on other's success, and take action to make a living.
@ chezjuan d - Thank you!!! Thank you for keeping your eye on the ball and answering my question! I've saved your link among the notes I've been keeping for this endeavor.
@ Gnelson - from Merriam Webster: exploit (as a verb) definition #1: to make productive use of: utilize; I hereby declare that I did not use the term 'exploit' in a pejorative sense as can be indicated by definition #2, in retrospect the term 'utilize' would have been better in order to avoid any misunderstanding. But I'm totally with you as far as my wife and her family, as well as the many other immigrants I've meet through her, that the overwhelming majority are here for the right reasons and behave appropriately.
guy from orlando's comments weren't up the last time I was here... Exactly where did I say that I believe that immigrants are too successful? I'm also confident that you're not watching me with hidden cameras or anything like that, since you seem to believe that I spend hours "lamenting on other's success."
K folks, listen up. As you can see, most people are smart enough to ignore this thread since they recognize the initial question for what it is and move on since they don't know the answer. No more straw man arguments. No more projecting.
"How is it that a 25 yr old who came from another (economically inferior) country a little more than a yr ago can own her own business"
As you see, most people are smart enough to realize that the world outside America is a complete wasteland.
Glad to see the support and tolerance/understanding that comes so hard to such a huge portion of our population.
Had I been in that area I would have joined you.
/salute
I can't believe some of these anti immigrant threads on here. This family didn't take American's jobs. They opened a restaraunt to support themselves. They aren't being welfare recipients. They are probably providing jobs for others, too.
Thank you to Veterans for Peace, for showing their are honest Americans who aren't rascist hate mongerers.
Simply put, this is inspiring! A big applause to the vets, they do understand what this country stands for and it's not racism, hatred and discrimination.
Thank you Veterans for your never ending service to our country. You are appreciated and admired.
Our local Veterans for Peace are wonderful - not only do they help other veterans - they are always helping others. I also believe this was a hate crime after seeing the front of the restaurant's window in a local paper. Muslims, or people of Middle Eastern descent, have a rough time in the US - too much racism. If I am ever in Lowell, I will have to eat there.
see that pic? that food on those plates looks pretty good to me!!
KUDOS to the vets who supported them. I wonder if there are always so many nutty Americans around or if we are a bad batch or something. What a pity that a nice family making an effort to participate in their new community had to be frightened by some idiot. I'm glad to see her smiling in that picture. The food looks delicious.
Of course it's a hate crime. The local police aren't going to catagorize it as such because the perp says its not?!
I don't believe it is a matter of the local police trying to cover up this crime. The article says hate crimes are very hard to prove. So even if the police know this is a hate crime and want to charge him with a hate crime, they can not. I am sure it is very frustrating to the local authorities too. No one wants their town painted with that brush.
The important question that should raised, How's the food? Looks good from this monitor. As to the "hate' crime, make the culprit wash dishes for a few days and pay for that window.
wje37. Thanks for some perspective. I like to cruise around and make some comments here or there....but this was a thread in which people sounded like true Americans. Why so much anger and hate out there? We are blessed to live in the U.S. and we should be happy for others that come here legally and contribute. And, I hope that this was a stupid random act because we should not be hating Iraqi's many of whom had to suffer under Sadaam Hussein, crippling sanctions and an invasion of their country. And then, you have useless comments by would be politicians about "Uz beki beki beki stan stan." Translation: you are subhuman and your country does not matter.....
"Cry me a river"!...How is it that we are in one of the most worst recession in U.S history and we are still allowing people to immigrate from other countries....this is ridiculous!...these people should stay in their own country and help rebuild it! Why don't these vets find established struggling American businesses to support in these bad economic times we are in. I don't want to hear that BS that "we were built on immigrants" Yeah!, I get it. BUT WE ARE FULL AND THESE NEW IMMIGRANTS ARE DRAINING ARE SYSTEM... EVERY PART OF IT....WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!!!
How are these people draining resources?
Aren't they now paying taxes?
Gringo
Our country sucks because there are other people who think like you.
Good story. There is so much unwarranted hatred and xenephobia out there. Thanks vets!
Awesome job by our veterans!
To the anti-immigration posters, LEGAL immigration has always been a GOOD thing for the U.S. People who want to come here legally, obey the law, and work hard should be welcome.
Stop and think for a second, unless you are a native American Indian, we are ALL descendents of immigrants.
I;ve eaten their spareribs there a number of times and they were good