AUSTIN, Texas — The local chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is calling on a man to face hate crime charges after a stabbing in West Campus on Sunday night.
One person was stabbed at around 7 p.m. at Nueces and West 26th streets. The victim was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
A suspect, James Baker, was arrested in connection with the stabbing and faces an aggravated assault charge.
CAIR said Baker attacked a group of Muslims after a pro-Palestine rally downtown. The group plans to rally outside City Hall on Tuesday to call for the charges to be elevated.
In a statement, a national leader with CAIR wrote, "Far too many incidents of violence against Muslims, Palestinians and others who support Palestinian human rights have occurred over the past several months. Those responsible for this violence must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law and those fomenting the hate that leads to this violence must be condemned."
The father of the stabbing victim told CAIR he has undergone a successful surgery and is recovering at the hospital.
SafeHorns, the organization focused on safety issues at the University of Texas, has offered support to students impacted by witnessing the stabbing.
The Austin Police Department said this investigation remains ongoing. No additional information is available at this time.