Community Corner
Shocking Video of Anti-Muslim Hatred In Trader Joe's: Claim
"I wish they didn't let you into the country," the woman says in the video, which has sparked a fierce debate on Twitter.
RESTON, VA — A man posted a video Sunday on Twitter of an exchange between a white woman and a Muslim friend of his that he says was taken at a Trader Joe's in Reston.
"I wish they didn't let you into the country," the woman states at the start of the 57-second video, which is embedded below.
After the videographer points out that she was born in the United States, the woman goes on to say that "Obama's not in office anymore, you don't have a Muslim in there anymore."
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Muslim friend of mine got harassed at a Trader Joe's in Reston, VA. pic.twitter.com/Ki8gc1RZio
— Jeremy McLellan (@JeremyMcLellan) May 7, 2017
Jeremy McLellan posted the following account of what happened on Facebook:
"A friend of mine (who wishes to remain anonymous) just sent this to me. I've confirmed that it's real. This happened today at the Trader Joe's in Reston, VA. This woman was in a hurry so my friend (who is a Muslim woman) offered to let her go in front of her in line. That's when she started talking bad about a different Muslim woman in the store (who was wearing niqab) and asking my friend why she didn't cover as well. My friend replied it was a choice and the woman didn't believe her and started talking about FGM and telling her "I wish they didn't let you in the country." That's when my friend started filming. Enjoy. Let's make this lady famous."
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Despite backlash from some online accusing him of hiring an actress to stage the event, McLellan says the video is absolutely genuine.
There are now people who think the video was staged and the woman is an actor hired by my friend. Thats right. Trader Joe's Truthers.
— Jeremy McLellan (@JeremyMcLellan) May 8, 2017
Yes we hired an actress to play a racist so she could go viral and never get work again. The perfect crime. https://t.co/HeohtwGEJ8
— Jeremy McLellan (@JeremyMcLellan) May 8, 2017
There are a lot of hate crime hoaxes out there and I've consistently called them out. This video is real. I've spoken to witnesses. https://t.co/eZQCiLEJik
— Jeremy McLellan (@JeremyMcLellan) May 8, 2017
Image: Screenshot of video by Jeremy McLellan
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