Activists demand charges against protester dropped
Man accused of vandalism, hate crime during West Hartford rally
Pro-palestinian activists on Thursday stood outside Hartford Superior Court to demand the judicial system drop all criminal charges against Hicham Talal, a 24-year-old West Haven man accused of a hate crime and criminal mischief in connection with vandalism at a West Hartford bank during a pro-palestine protest in January.
A half-dozen people took turns defending Talal, insisting that police falsely accused him as a way to silence local protests against Israel and its attacks in Gaza.
“This is not about the Muslim community, it’s not about so-called self-hating Jews, it’s not about the Palestinian community. This is an issue that concerns every citizen in the state of Connecticut … we want to live in a free, democratic society,” said Imam Zaid Shakir, a Muslim scholar and co-founder of the United Change activist group.
The press conference came less than an hour before Talal was arraigned in court late Thursday morning on charges of third-degree intimidation based on bigotry and second-degree criminal mischief.
Appearing with his attorney, Gregory Davis, Talal pleaded not guilty. Judge Gregory Davis set a pre-trial court session for May 15. After his arrest in February, Talal was released on $50,000 bond; that remains in effect.
Activists set up a portable canopy outside the courthouse on Lafayette Street before the arraignment, and ultimately about 50 people gathered underneath in a show of support for Talal.
Most of the press conference repeated the same anti-israel talking points that have been the core of pro-palestinian protests around the state since October. Speakers took turns denouncing what they called Israeli-run genocide and American complicity in an illegal siege in Gaza.
But they also called Talal a victim of injustice and political bias.
“I know Hicham to be a generous and kind member of our community. He works in construction while also attending school full-time. He is motivated in this hard work by his dream to become a doctor,” said Leah Shrestinian, a leader of the CT Palestine Solidarity Coalition.
“At 24, he is young and filled with the potential to contribute to our society in profound ways. Right now as Hicham is targeted for his support of Palestinian, that potential is at risk,” Shrestinian said.
Shrestinian and other speakers complained that West Hartford police have provided no evidence of Talal’s guilt publicly, but did not address the weeks-long investigation that officers undertook in reviewing security camera footage from buildings around the Webster Bank branch on Lasalle Road.
Under Connecticut law, police can secure an arrest warrant after a crime only by satisfying a judge that there are reasonable grounds for it.
About 150 protesters rallied in West Hartford on Jan. 19, marching through the town center. Soon afterward police were told the bank building on Lasalle had been vandalized with red paint splattered against an outside wall and glass entryway as well as the sidewalk.
Police circulated photos from a security camera showing someone standing just beyond the entryway, and asked the public to help identify the person. Meanwhile other investigators examined footage from security videos in nearby buildings.
Police arrested Talal on Feb. 26. The criminal mischief charge is a Class A misdemeanor that could carry a one-year prison sentence and $2,000 fine. But the additional charge of a hate crime, a Class E felony, could add another three years and an additional $3,000 if there’s a conviction.
West Hartford leaders have previously said they support free speech and political dissent, and note that previous protests in their town went off peacefully and without incident. The vandalism, however, frightened many residents because the 65 Lasalle Road building houses a jewelry store formerly owned by a Jewish family.
Omar Abdelgadir, president of the Islamic Association of Central Connecticut, said the real hate crime was committed through Talal’s arrest.
“The message we want to send today to our youth and everybody who comes out to protest peacefully: ‘We will stand by you.’ I do believe in our justice system and I do believe Hicham is innocent,” Abdelgadir said.