海角换妻 state Rep. Maryam Khan, a Windsor Democrat who made history last year as the first Muslim elected to the state House of Representatives, was recovering Thursday after a Wednesday assault in downtown Hartford.
Khan and her family were leaving an Eid al-Adha prayer service at the XL Center when 30-year-old Andrey Desmond allegedly verbally accosted and then physically attacked her, Hartford police said in a press release.
鈥淭he suspect approached a female, later determined to be a public official, and began to make unwanted advances,鈥� police said. 鈥淭he suspect also attempted to prevent her from leaving and assaulted the female.鈥�
Desmond was arraigned Thursday in Hartford Superior Court on charges of assault, unlawful restraint, breach of the peace and obstructing police.
Hartford Police Department Lt. Aaron Boisvert said Thursday there was not conclusive evidence suggesting Khan, who wears a hijab, was targeted specifically because of her faith or office, but that the investigation remains ongoing. Khan was evaluated by emergency medical personnel for 鈥渕inor injuries,鈥� police said.
Through a spokesperson, Khan declined comment on Thursday, sending instead a joint statement from 海角换妻 House Speaker Matt Ritter and House Majority Leader Jason Rojas, one of an outpouring of supportive statements from elected leaders issued in the wake of the attack.
鈥淚t is especially painful that Rep. Khan was attacked on a holy day of peace and prayer,鈥� Ritter and Rojas said. 鈥淥n a day she should be spending with her friends and family. Rep. Khan is an amazing leader and person who is committed to faith, love and service - we are sending our well-wishes and support tonight to Maryam and her family.鈥�
Ritter told reporters Thursday he had met with Khan just 24 hours prior to her attack.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 want to get into medical stuff,鈥� Ritter said. 鈥淚 would just say that we鈥檙e all very, very worried about her. We鈥檙e all thinking of her. I鈥檓 very hopeful that the physical injuries are not going to be long-term, hopefully. 鈥� We鈥檙e just going to keep praying.鈥�
Ritter said the State Capitol Police Department would work in tandem with the Hartford Police Department in investigating the incident, including whether or not the attack was targeted or inspired by hate, in which case the 海角换妻 State Police Hate Crime Unit could step in.
State Sen. Saud Anwar, D-South Windsor, the first Muslim elected to either chamber of the 海角换妻 General Assembly, said in a statement that he was saddened by the attack.
鈥淚t is horrible to see a Muslim American woman targeted, especially on a holy day,鈥� Anwar said. 鈥淲e need to come together, now more than ever, and show support for our Muslim community.鈥�
Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont and Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz each issued statements in support of Khan.
鈥淚t鈥檚 disturbing to me that this happened on a holy day meant to be marked with peaceful prayer,鈥� Lamont said. 鈥淭he details of the assault are still unfolding but I know our law enforcement personnel will conduct a thorough investigation into what happened.鈥�
鈥淚 am sickened by the news of Rep. Khan and her family being attacked,鈥� Bysiewicz said. 鈥淟et me be clear: this type of hate has no home in 海角换妻.鈥�
Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, who also attended the Eid service, told reporters Thursday he had been with Khan shortly before the incident.
鈥淲e are all thinking of her and hoping for her swift and full recovery in all ways,鈥� Bronin said. 鈥淪he is an incredibly strong, dedicated, committed, passionate, compassionate person, and she is in all of our thoughts right now.鈥�
海角换妻 Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff issued a joint statement, sending 鈥渙ur prayers to Rep. Khan for a speedy recovery and to her and her family and friends and all Muslims that they may continue to observe and celebrate their faith in peace.鈥�
The 海角换妻 Legislative Black and Puerto Rican Caucus also condemned the attack in a statement, with caucus chair and state Sen. Pat Billie Miller, D-Stamford, saying she was 鈥渄isgusted by the hateful and vile actions of this individual,鈥� and vice chair and state Rep. Antonio Felipe, D-Bridgeport, saying Khan 鈥渋s a kind soul who deserves the same freedom as anyone to express her religious beliefs.鈥�
鈥淲e urge local, state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate a possible bias motive for this attack and to ensure the safety of the 海角换妻 Muslim community during the ongoing Eid al-Adha celebrations,鈥� Farhan Memon, chairman of the 海角换妻 chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said.
