Republican senator advises Arab American witness to conceal their identity during hate crimes hearing

During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing focused on hate crimes, Sen. John Kennedy repeatedly suggested that Arab American activist Maya Berry was a supporter of Hamas, a militant group. Despite Berry’s repeated denials and explanations that she did not support Hamas, Kennedy continued to press the issue. He also questioned her support for Hezbollah and Iran, to which she also denied any support. Kennedy’s line of questioning received criticism from Judiciary Democrats and was seen as a form of harassment towards Berry. Berry emphasized the importance of addressing hate crimes in the country and expressed disappointment in Kennedy’s tactics during the hearing. She highlighted the need to focus on keeping all Americans safe, regardless of their background. The incident was seen as an example of the danger posed to democratic institutions by the introduction of foreign policy into conversations about domestic issues. Overall, the exchange between Kennedy and Berry underscored the need for respectful dialogue and a focus on addressing hate crimes in America.

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