Yesterday in Irving, TX 14 year old Ahmed Mohamed was arrested for bringing a hoax bomb to his school. The hoax bomb was, in fact, a simple home made digital clock. Ahmed was subjected to unlawful questioning, unlawful search and seizure of his private property, unlawful interrogation, and denied the right to speak to his parents or an attorney. This humiliation of a minor is unfortunately only one of many symptoms of the Islamophobic attitude which has swept the United States in the wake of 9/11. There is no excuse for the disparity in the treatment of those of middle eastern descent. We need action to prevent brilliant young minds like Ahmed's from being extinguished due to present policy.
I urge President Obama and members of his administration to take action.