10 hrs ago
Bricks Damage Ohio Hindu Temple as Groups Seek Action
Someone threw bricks at a Hindu temple in Richmond Heights, Ohio.
It happened on a Friday afternoon, at about 1:30.
The bricks damaged the building and broke several windows.
Priests and some worshippers were inside.
Reports said no injuries had been reported, although some accounts did not say whether anyone was hurt.
The Hindu American Foundation said video of the attack was available for authorities to review.
It also said it was alerting federal authorities and helping temple leaders.
Hindu groups asked police and local officials to act quickly.
They said the attack might have been a hate crime, but authorities had not publicly said why it happened.
Bricks were thrown at the Shree Swaminarayan Vadtal Dham Hindu Mandir in Richmond Heights, Ohio, around 1:30 p.m. on a Friday.
The attack damaged the temple and shattered several windows; priests and some devotees were inside.
Reports said no injuries had been reported, though some accounts said groups did not specify whether anyone was hurt.
The Hindu American Foundation said surveillance video was available for authorities to review and that it was alerting the FBI and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
Hindu advocacy groups called for swift action and described the incident as a possible hate crime, but authorities had not publicly established a motive or identified a suspect.
- Who
- The Shree Swaminarayan Vadtal Dham Hindu Mandir was attacked; priests and some devotees were inside. No suspect was publicly identified.
- What
- Bricks were thrown at the temple, damaging the building and shattering several windows.
- Where
- Richmond Heights, in Ohio’s Greater Cleveland area.
- When
- Friday afternoon, at about 1:30 p.m.; the articles do not provide a calendar date.
- Why
- The motive has not been publicly established. Hindu advocacy groups called the attack a possible hate crime.
Possible Hate Crime
Motive Not Established
Religious motive
Possible Hate Crime
The Hindu American Foundation described the incident as a possible hate crime and said it occurred amid hostility toward the Hindu American community.
Motive Not Established
Reports said authorities had not publicly established a motive or confirmed evidence of a religious motive.
Public response
Possible Hate Crime
HAF and CoHNA called for swift law-enforcement action; CoHNA urged Richmond Heights Mayor Kim Thomas and municipal authorities to condemn the attack.
Motive Not Established
The reports did not establish that local authorities had publicly responded, and no suspect or arrest was publicly confirmed.
Key facts
- Temple
- Shree Swaminarayan Vadtal Dham Hindu Mandir, also referred to in reports as Shree Swaminarayan Hindu Temple Vadtaldham
- Location
- Richmond Heights, Ohio, in the Greater Cleveland area
- Reported time
- About 1:30 p.m. on a Friday; no calendar date was specified
- Damage
- Bricks damaged the temple building and shattered several windows; the exact number was not reported
- People present
- Priests and some devotees were inside during the attack
- Injuries
- Some reports said no injuries had been reported; other accounts did not specify whether anyone was hurt
- Evidence and authorities
- The Hindu American Foundation said surveillance video was available for review and that it was alerting the FBI and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division
- Community response
- The Hindu American Foundation and the Coalition of Hindus of North America urged swift law-enforcement action; CoHNA also called on local officials to condemn the attack
Quotes
Coalition of Hindus of North America
US-based Hindu advocacy group
“Hindu temple attacked in Ohio today | At 1:30 PM today, the Shree Swaminarayan Vadtal Dham Hindu Mandir in Richmond Heights, Ohio was attacked by perpetrator(s) who threw bricks at the temple, causing significant damage.”
wionews.com
m.rediff.com
freepressjournal.in
“This possible hate crime comes at a time of unprecedented hate & vitriol directed at the Hindu American community, and we ask that law enforcement make apprehending the perpetrator(s) a top priority.”
wionews.com
m.rediff.com
Sources
Hindu temple in Ohio attacked with bricks during prayers
Hindu Temple Vandalised In Ohio: Bricks Thrown, Windows Shattered While Devotees Were Inside | Watch
Hindu temple vandalised with bricks in US, priests and devotees were inside
Hindu temple vandalised in Greater Cleveland, advocacy groups seek action - Telegraph India
US: Hindu temple attacked in Ohio
Bricks hurled at Hindu temple in Ohio, Hindu American Foundation calls it ‘possible hate crime’
US Hindu Temple Attack: Ohio’s Shree Swaminarayan Vadtal Dham Targeted In Brick-Hurling Attack, Windows Shattered | Watch
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