AG SAYS PORTLAND WOMAN VIOLATED CIVIL RIGHTS OF MUSLIMS

September 30, 2003

SEPTEMBER 30, 2003

LEANNE ROBBIN, ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL, 207-626-8581

 

            Attorney General Steven Rowe today announced the filing of a civil rights action against Fatuma Boru, 49, of Portland.  Boru is alleged to have assaulted and threatened a number of recent immigrant Muslim women who live in Portland Housing Authority apartments.  The Attorney General’s complaint alleges that Boru’s conduct is motivated by bias against the victims based on their religion or national origin.  Specifically, Boru has stated repeatedly that she hates Muslims, and she has spit on and threatened her Muslim neighbors.  On one occasion, she barged into the apartment of one of the Muslim women, and, when she was removed from the apartment, she reiterated her hatred of Muslims and threw a large rock against the apartment door.  Boru was once herself a Muslim, but converted to Christianity as an adult. 

            “The Maine Civil Rights Act promotes freedom and tolerance for all people of all religions, races, and ethnicities,” said Attorney General Rowe.  “This enforcement action is necessary to ensure that the victims feel safe in their own homes.”

            The action is filed in Cumberland County Superior Court and seeks an injunction against Boru, prohibiting her from any contact with the four victims in the complaint and from engaging in any future violations of the Maine Civil Rights Act.  The Portland Police Department investigated the complaint, along with a detective from the Attorney General’s Office.

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