Muslim Twins Hijab Attack at Waterbury School
On March 3, 2025, twin 13-year-old Muslim sisters of Egyptian origin were physically assaulted by fellow students in the girls' locker room at Wallace Middle School in Waterbury, Connecticut. The attackers pulled off the twins' hijabs and kicked and punched them, causing injuries requiring hospital treatment including a bloody nose, facial bruises, a swollen eye, and a neck scrape. The assault followed weeks of religious and ethnic bullying including taunts and a throat-slashing gesture. CAIR-CT intervened with a press conference and formal demands to Waterbury Public Schools. On March 21, 2025, a 12-year-old student was charged with Intimidation Based on Bigotry and Bias after investigators classified the attack as a hate crime motivated by religion and ethnicity.
Timeline
March 22, 2025
National Media Coverage Highlights School Islamophobia
The story receives widespread national attention from CNN, NBC News, CBS News, and other major outlets. The case is highlighted as an example of anti-Muslim hate crimes targeting youth in American schools, drawing attention to the broader issue of religious bullying in educational settings.
SourceMarch 21, 2025
12-Year-Old Charged with Hate Crime
Waterbury Police's Juvenile Division concludes its investigation and determines the attack was motivated by religion and ethnicity, meeting the legal definition of a hate crime. A 12-year-old female student is charged with Intimidation Based on Bigotry and Bias in the First and Second Degree via court-issued summons to Waterbury Juvenile Court.
SourceMarch 21, 2025
Second Student Referred to Diversionary Program
A second female student involved in the locker room assault is referred to a youth diversionary program as an alternative to arrest, reflecting her lesser degree of involvement in the incident.
SourceMarch 21, 2025
CAIR-CT: This Is Not an Isolated Case
CAIR-CT acknowledges the hate crime charge but reiterates this is not an isolated case. The organization notes it has heard from other parents of Muslim students in Waterbury who report their children have also been harassed because of their religion, and continues to call for systemic reforms.
SourceMarch 12, 2025
CAIR-CT Holds Press Conference at School District HQ
CAIR-CT, Muslim community leaders, and civic leaders hold a press conference in front of Waterbury Public Schools headquarters demanding safe schools for Muslim students. Advocates call for accountability, mandatory anti-bullying training focused on racial and religious discrimination, and the creation of an Islamophobia taskforce.
SourceMarch 12, 2025
School District Announces Safety Measures and Discipline
Waterbury's Department of Education confirms the bullying incident, states disciplinary action has been taken, and announces enhanced school safety measures. The aggressors are reportedly disciplined to the highest level possible and will no longer attend the school. A safety plan is established for the twins' return.
SourceMarch 11, 2025
CAIR-CT Sends Formal Complaint to School District
CAIR-CT sends a formal complaint letter to Waterbury Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Darren Schwartz demanding an immediate investigation, compliance with Connecticut's anti-bullying laws, a Student Safety Support Plan for the victims, and confirmation that the assault has been reported to law enforcement.
SourceMarch 4, 2025
Family Contacts CAIR-CT for Assistance
The twins' parents reach out to CAIR-CT one day after the attack. The family feels they are not receiving sufficient communication from the school regarding disciplinary actions or a safety plan for their daughters.
SourceMarch 3, 2025
Twins Assaulted in Locker Room — Hijabs Ripped Off
During gym period at Wallace Middle School, the twin sisters are attacked in the girls' locker room by fellow seventh-grade students. Their hijabs are forcibly pulled off, and they are kicked and punched. One twin suffers a bloody nose, facial bruises, and a swollen eye; the other sustains a long scrape across her neck. Both are taken to the hospital for treatment.
SourceMarch 3, 2025
Throat-Slashing Gesture Directed at Twins
The student later charged in the attack allegedly drags her finger across her neck in a 'death sign' directed at the twins. The gesture is cited as evidence of the bias motivation behind the attack.
SourceFebruary 28, 2025
First Documented Confrontation at School
An incident occurs at the school that, according to Superintendent Dr. Darren Schwartz, 'stemmed from a misconception that the twins were talking about the offender in class, which was deemed to be untrue.' A teacher immediately mediates between the students and offers further support, which is declined by all involved.
SourceFebruary 1, 2025
Pattern of Religious and Ethnic Bullying Begins
In the weeks leading up to the March attack, students begin using terms such as 'Arab,' 'Muslim,' and 'Hijab' while laughing and making gestures at the sisters. The twins face persistent taunting over their religion and ethnicity.
SourceSeptember 1, 2024
Twin Sisters Enroll at Wallace Middle School
The 13-year-old twin sisters, who immigrated with their family from Egypt, enroll as seventh graders at Michael F. Wallace Middle School in Waterbury, Connecticut. They wear hijabs and are identifiable as Muslim students at the school.
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