Local Sikh Woman Victim Of Hate Attack
Victim Stabbed In The Head
POSTED: 11:21 a.m. PDT October 5, 2001
UPDATED: 5:12 p.m. PDT October 5, 2001
SAN DIEGO -- It's been nearly a week, but Swaran Bhullar is still trying to come to grips with those who, in her words, is so filled with hate.
Driving to work Sunday afternoon, Bhullar (pictured, far left) stopped at a traffic light at Cabot Drive and Miramar Road when two men on a motorcycle pulled up next to her.
"He came out of the back, opened my door and said, 'This is what you get for what your people have done to us. I'm going to slash your throat,'" Bhullar told 10News. Bhullar is a Sikh, a member of a religion founded in northern India.
She doesn't know what kind of weapon was used, but Bhullar's attacker left a gash on her scalp.
There have been other misguided assaults as well, including a crude explosive device that was found at the Islamic Center in Clairemont.
At a rally Thursday at UCSD (spell out on first reference), Muslim students spoke of having to change their lifestyles because of fear.
"Muslims all over the country are taking precautions," said Nadia Aziz (pictured, right) of the Muslim Student Association. "Me? I don't go out at night. When I do, I stay in groups. I'm afraid of people, in their anger, reacting violently against Muslims."
The attacks have continued despite numerous warnings.
"I'll make it very clear. Vigillante attacks against Arab-Americans will not be tolerated," FBI Director Robert Mueller told 10News.
But Bhullar is neither Arab nor Muslim. Still, she was possibly the first person in San Diego to be physically attacked.
San Diego police are looking for anyone who may have seen something or know something about the case. If you have any information, call the San Diego police at (619) 531-2000.
There is also a new state hotline to report hate crimes: (866) 460-4357.
Driving to work Sunday afternoon, Bhullar (pictured, far left) stopped at a traffic light at Cabot Drive and Miramar Road when two men on a motorcycle pulled up next to her.
"He came out of the back, opened my door and said, 'This is what you get for what your people have done to us. I'm going to slash your throat,'" Bhullar told 10News. Bhullar is a Sikh, a member of a religion founded in northern India.
She doesn't know what kind of weapon was used, but Bhullar's attacker left a gash on her scalp.
There have been other misguided assaults as well, including a crude explosive device that was found at the Islamic Center in Clairemont.
At a rally Thursday at UCSD (spell out on first reference), Muslim students spoke of having to change their lifestyles because of fear.
"Muslims all over the country are taking precautions," said Nadia Aziz (pictured, right) of the Muslim Student Association. "Me? I don't go out at night. When I do, I stay in groups. I'm afraid of people, in their anger, reacting violently against Muslims."
The attacks have continued despite numerous warnings.
"I'll make it very clear. Vigillante attacks against Arab-Americans will not be tolerated," FBI Director Robert Mueller told 10News.
But Bhullar is neither Arab nor Muslim. Still, she was possibly the first person in San Diego to be physically attacked.
San Diego police are looking for anyone who may have seen something or know something about the case. If you have any information, call the San Diego police at (619) 531-2000.
There is also a new state hotline to report hate crimes: (866) 460-4357.Copyright 2002 by TheSanDiegoChannel.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
