The 2016 presidential election has magnified the impact of Islamophobia across the country, in large part thanks to Donald Trump’s blatant anti-Muslim messaging. Not only has he proposed a ban on all Muslims entering the country, he even answered a question at a debate about his Islamophobia by spouting more Islamophobia.
It’s no surprise, then, that Muslim voters are facing some harassment at the polls. Indeed, some groups have been preparing to protect Muslim voters from harassment at the polls. The hashtag #IslamophobiaAtPolls has caught on to document what they are experiencing. Here are some of the notable stories that have been popping up during election day.
Standing in line to vote this morning — got asked how long I plan on staying in “our country”. #IslamophobiaAtPolls
— Jana Al-Akhras (@thealakhras) November 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/Sususireen/status/796013905059389440
At our polling place, we saw a muslim couple come in to vote. They were turned away because they didn't have ID's. I love TEXAS!
— Tex Deplorable (@Debi8lark) November 8, 2016
Law professor Khaled Beydoun is also tracking Islamophobia at the Polls today from Michigan where he lives.
Saw a man wearing the "Bin Laden with the target on front" and "Muslim ban" on the back of his shirt.#islamophobiaatpolls
— Khaled Beydoun (@KhaledBeydoun) November 8, 2016
"Muslim go back home" shouted at my friend's 50+ year old, head-scarved mother outside of Fresno, CA #IslamophobiaAtPolls
— Khaled Beydoun (@KhaledBeydoun) November 8, 2016
According to Mother Jones magazine, a voter in East Lansing noticed a man outside the door of the polling place profiling two women wearing hijabs and trying to send them to a different polling place. Polling officials asked him to leave, but he attempted to stay. The East Lansing city clerk reported the incident to the police.
Several others are sharing stories about election-related Islamophobia that they’ve experienced today away from the polls:
Trump supporters walking around on campus yelling "go back to where you came from" to a women with a hijab and a Mexican student.
— ArrielLaurinFranklin (@AriLaurin) November 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/TeBeyonce/status/796055923852804096
And others are sharing other recent stories of Islamophobia and profiling through the lens of the election:
Sadly not true. Since 9/11, we have been living in Trump's America.
I was stopped and frisked by a male police for wearing a Hijab. https://t.co/YvGCw9obDY
— Amytis of Media (@qeteshrose) November 8, 2016
My friend was harassed on the bus by this man who tried to pull her hijab off. Trump may not win but he's already done the damage. pic.twitter.com/XrXSRFBn04
— Fatima S (@Queen_FatimaS) November 8, 2016
Fortunately, many Muslim voters are having good experiences at the polls — and are voting proudly:
Voted but no issues for this hijab wearing Muslimah. #islamophobiaatpolls
— DotComMom (@dotcommom1) November 8, 2016
#Shoreview polls were quick and friendly. No #IslamophobiaAtPolls for us
— Tamara Gray (@tamaralgray) November 8, 2016
No #IslamophobiaAtPolls 4 me. There was even a Muslimah poll volunteer. My toddler did break the odd silence in the room by screaming though
— Post-Gaddafi Forum (@WhatsNext4Libya) November 8, 2016
right on my hijab :))) pic.twitter.com/giF446jtmC
— rye bread (@hijabri) November 8, 2016
Was walking in @target in my Hijab&a guy looked at me & said"Go Hillary, Go Hillary!" Proud my Hijab … #ElectionDay https://t.co/2zifZ2wsHo
— Ismat Mahmood (@IsmatMahmood) November 8, 2016
After voting, a woman in a hijab proudly told staff it was her first time & walked out cheering. This is what America is about #ElectionDay
— MaryWestonADI (@maryweston617) November 8, 2016