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Wednesday, Aug 30, 2017

2017-08-30

As a poor, white teenager in Fort Smith, Ark., Abraham Davis never fit in. As a hidden minority there, the town’s Muslims were trying to make a home. Then their lives collided. Plus: the latest from Houston, where the rain keeps falling. Guests: Sabrina Tavernise, a national correspondent for The New York Times; Jacqueline Herrera, a Houston resident who we check back in with. For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily.

This is an unofficial transcript meant for reference. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
The New York Times, I'm Michael Burma, he's sitting today has a poor white teenage enforcement Arkansas Abraham Davis never fit as hidden minority. How's, he was trying to make up then lies collide, the latest, from used where the rain keeps form and the floodwaters keep rising. It wins August. Say it in Arabic, slowly, vivacity had it was unfair. Her whole shaggy and were Hawaii last there until Boucher and what was shown.
And that means that you may hear something happened to you, but it's good for When you made love to have something, but you don't get it that's good for you, you don't get it. My colleague, Sabrina Tavern, easy, has been reporting on a week. An incident in Fort Smith, Arkansas silly white, predominantly christian town, where abject poverty Lives alongside visible wealth, There is a small little lively population of Muslims in Fort Smith.
For the most part. Nobody knew that there were Muslims and Portsmouth. You know they were there, but most people didn't know that they were there and nothing like this ever happened before. On the morning of October twenty. If a law Add the awful our mosque on South twenty eighth street drove up to prepare for morning prayers and saw but the mosque had been vandalized. There were swastikas on its sign on its windows and its doors curses against Islam. Courses against a law, There were words
the ugly writing Muslims go home. We don't want you here. He then begins calling everybody in the muslim community telling them a terrible thing has happened to the mosque. Allow one of the first of those calls was to show me seen an when they call me. I just came by the way he's a used car dealer in forts Beth in these social director of the also a mosque and his Sharm gets in his white infinity, grabs his gun and drives immediately to the mosque, while calves People were on edge. I mean you knows: Comstock has been going on, listen train. He was opened fire right
left on MR, were really worried anyway, but what's happening nationally, reverberate brought about Lisbon every day. Every day, every day, there's a guy who's been sending anonymous emails to the mosque threatening them. They had to call the FBI about that. All my god. I have a fear of myself and my family, my mouth, and so they were pretty freaked out and sometimes I live cattle. Now said he shot shows up kind of takes control cease all of his writing. He sees the swastikas, he sees, we don't want you here. Muslims go home and he shows incredibly incredibly sad. Looked. I get something somebody do you hear me and my family over forty five years and these people? Can they say these things? Who do this from the Thomas?
centre at the University of Nevada, LAS Vegas, I'm Chris Wallace of Fox NEWS. So who did do this? So it was the night of the last presidential, debate between Trump and thank you very much person thanks to you and I'll, be for hosting us. Three young men drove and a White Ford minivan to two mosques in Fort Psmith, Craig Wigan, ten Abraham Davis, and as repaired, Rosa the only way I can remember about that night Besides being unbelievably just wasted, the shore conversation, I remember, I bits and pieces of driving. This story lead
Tells is they were, but together they drink, Kentucky De Luxe, which is this very cheap whisky. Craig was getting very, very emotional about ISIS as a threat as well. As you know, it's outrageous that they're killing american soldiers is outrageous that they're killing Children is pretty much just talking about lay all this that has gone on east. All Odessa, We should not allow them to get away with this stuff. Let's go retaliate, let's do something: five years or border Joe Allison as Leyden Forks met and Joe there is Sir Valence Video vandalism, a security camera on one of them captures with just cinematic precision the ringleader, Craig Wigan ten Tall can a gang laid baseball cap, spraying and spray paint all over the side of his boss. In the top right corner, you could say to people walk up to the Islamic Prayer Centre on. South, twenty eighth street, one stays behind where the sign out front was stabbed and you see Abraham Davis sort of standing at the door.
I've way, a kind of on the lookout type thing he is twenty at the time he had drunk out of high school. Very, very impressed. The of Craig. Ok, Joe thanks. If we recognize a person in the video police, encourage you to call the river about crime stoppers line at seven, a crime, the cops looked and looked. There were a couple of false leads and then in February they got a call from a kid who had been at a party with Craig and this kid said, I think said: Craig Wigan Tomb was the one who to face the mosque and he was with Abraham and Azra, and he actually told me that, wanted to go back and burning down. Then I guess I was frantic and Abraham two policemen came to his door, to his mom house, Christians House and knock on the door
said: hey is Abraham Davis here and well always. Now why? What was going on? We have a fifty. Thousand dollar warrant or Abrahams arrest Noah his brother. I knew where he was and he called his brother. He said cops just came and ransacked the whole house still looking for you that you got like a fifteen thousand dollars warrant for your arrest, I'm just sitting here like what and yeah he gets himself up. He tries to jail by the house to say goodbye to his mother. I said I'm basically here to stay right now I was. There was a bad moment, God he was wise. It goes and he was shaking and he gave me a high and when he did I, just as I could damn programming seriously as last felt like. I'll. Never see my mother cry like that. She cried like a woman who just gotten those at her son dive now by
might like a mother. Would it like getting the news like if her son had went out to war in this, the two guys in the in the car show up at her house and she's. She just lost everything here. It is clear that our new was you know not going down the right path, and I wanted him to do something. Difficult is life, despite just. Old, omby amby. Try to get him to say. Would you just turn this weighing and go down this way? Is that go on this way? Come on? You know where you're going your screen. Your life She was sad and so just completely broken, that this haven't her kids and I was like going ok, Are you sure you shutting up and his eye mom. I seen all the evidence yeah. It's me I was I was in on this, and am I
So you just going to take a deep breath and then you and then you next focus is okay. So what's the next step. He's like Romania is the Tatars in his bond is like fifteen thousand cycling? Oh my god holy I said I couldn't get him out of the way seriously emulous. What was the bill Belle would have been ten percent of fifteen thousand, which is one thousand five hundred actually will be. One thousand five hundred and eighty December says, with the bail bondsman take and then the state charges like a. I don't know if he has some sort of eighty dollars just to get him out There is no way ever you need to understand about Abraham's family is that they have a combined income of about one thousand, seven hundred dollars a month which needs to cover gas and they're seven hundred dollars a month, rent which they're always behind
one in three boys, Abraham Noah and Gabriel. One of the weeks I was there, their water was cut off me Today's late for their water bill in part because they were juggling beheld, your phone bill. Did his mother work. She worked in a fish tackle plant where she would dare paint eyes on fishing lures, but she was diagnosed in two thousand fourteen with leukemia me and went on disability a couple of months later and has been in disability since then. Her husband, Kenny, who is the step down of Abraham and Noah, worked maintenance and Mcdonald's for many years cleaning sort of draining the Greece from the drains then most recently was working at coals Department store and I was diagnosed with Parkinson's and actually has one thing for other pretty
advanced stage of Parkinson, so he could no longer fold shirt. His hands were shaking very badly and he went on disability them so long ass. You live shorter, Walmart there like five, but others are bad and begin. Whites. It also brings Jordan in cycles about as well. Secondly, no by fighting well down here: Bompard, free or, to so much better or even free breathing, or somebody like Abe from his perspective from his economic you to the very, very lowest wrongly economic ladder, somebody who drives to school in a car that their parents bought them and has the latest Iphone and has the fancy new shoes is rich, Savelich, outcasts, yeah. He was very much part of it
social class that was not privileged in a place that had a lot of privilege sort of out in the open for the fussy. I think that had a profound effect on how he saw himself who he ended up associating with and having his friends, and you know his own confidence in himself and that was ended up being a major problem for his life because he got into this trouble with its mosque yeah. I don't think he chose the best sometimes and he's really and one for any trust in a hundred percent were being really did a duty on
Christian. The mother was driving them somewhere and in Craig made. This sort of offhand comment are. They saw a woman in a job drive by in a very fancy car, and he said oh look at that. Send monkey and a cadillac, and so it wasn't even like he was sort of afraid or kind of worried about them, is the other. It was like he was jealous. Why jaws? So the Muslims are, for the most part, affluent people there, the doctors, their business men. They are seen as affluent people, both by the kids in high school and by people in the society. So they are yes there Muslims, but in some ways its justice,
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their dream. Oh my god. Wake up in this the brown and just a stand. Man, I'm looking around. There's people over me. I really knows where I met at first, but I get up asked our walking am looking always people on their faces in their kids, a cry, and these there's this women that I hold their husbands and they ve got tears now has was obviously very light, very scorn, very upset by with their Lydia. I want you to walk into this crowd of people, and I look forward and there's the moss and see all the spray pains all that shit all over it and I'm just look at them and I turned around and then there are gone for looking at the MOSS looking at me, and I think that site almost like the train was shy. Tell me you're the moss.
You always fought against you know so. Sabrina Abe just said goodbye to his mother and now he's in jail, because she can't pay for his bell. He is awaiting sensing, then weapons there. There was a back and forth about what the charge should be for Abraham. Fundamentally, what was his crime according to the police? He wasn't actually doing the writing. He was the one it was. The look out also, obviously culpable, but you know, did that merit a felony charge. Arkansas does not have a hate crimes statute, but the prosecutor was taking. It very, very seriously answered in some ways using it as an example, I think of you know what will happen to you. If you decide that you're gonna meet, do an act of bigotry, long law.
A law, but then something very strange happen if, after a Friday prayer one afternoon, two to three o clock. People are sort of standing around talking, prayers are over and they get this knock on the door. A man enters he's taken off his shoes sight of respect which not many people know said they were impressed by that any introduces himself has no a Davis, and always surprise that he would my father was courageous. Opium What want to do this- and he says I just want to tell you that I am the brother of Abraham Davis, who vandalized your mosque, and I have a letter from him that I want to read to you. I need to deliver to you because he has something to say to you, and so he sits down and he read
and they listen dear, most Jude also on mosque. I know you guys We don't want to hear from me at all, but really want to display much get this too I'm so sorry about having a hand in analyzing your mosque. It was wrong and you did not deserve the Heather Don T you I hurt you and I'm haunted by it. I don't know what it's going to happen the mayor and, to be honest, that's really scary, but I just wouldn't want to keep going without trying to make amends. I wish I could. Do the pain I helped to cause? I used to obey. Moscow? Why and ask myself? Why would do that our even hate, Muslims or For that matter, all in all, I just want to say I'm sorry, you're good people who do good work in the community sincerely.
They ran Davis, so suddenly the MOSS people are standing holding this letter thinking, while we didn't expect us, we didn't expect any of us. They had a long discussion about what they should do, but they came to the conclusion that they wanted to ask for mercy and leniency and Abraham behalf, and we had a feeling that this was heartfelt airily meant that and because of this we took it very seriously, and I promised no at that point that, if asked, I would differ
speak on his behalf and try to have the courts have mercy on in the main, the president of a mosque, user pediatric, common knowledge is too came from Syria and nineteen. Eighty doktor nostril said you know we. We went to talk to the proceedings ready for a felt sorry for these girls, especially especially a brown. We did not this to affect their lives forever in any way, shape or form, and because of this we did not want this judgment to be officially. We wanted it to be a misdemeanor and actually, when we thought to the assistant prosecutor,
journey initially he agreed with us and he actually like this idea by, as the weeks went on and in the end that wasn't what happened so what did happen and the quorum when the judge delivered his sons? So Christian and Noah arrived at courtroom exactly nine o clock, they were very nervous. They had on their best close about eleven fifteen, a m Craig and Abe. Sir, shuffle up to the front too the judge the judge, give the Mr De very parenting lecture. You know this was a very stupid thing that you ve done. You should be ashamed of yourselves, you very lucky that the victims aren't pressing for more. You know justice for themselves because you would have gone to prison for six years. Me said the judge announced his sentence and it was
is not to the liking of the mosque. It was the following. According to the law, this is a fairly and it's not a misdemeanor. I didn't know that if the victim wish is ass, if he asked for leniency than the law does not allow that in office are added another, the two bystander young men, Ezra and Abraham got three or suspended sentences. What that means is they have? They had to be in good behaviour for three four years that mean
no drugs, no drinking now going to bars, working and, most importantly, consistently paying on their three thousand dollar two hundred finds in restitution chunk of money that they owe the court system. Now and that's you know perhaps gonna be the biggest hurdle for Abraham. Since it's a lot of money to come up with for his family, Craig gets a stricter sentence. A six year suspended sentences. He has all of the same conditions, but for six years instead of three, the mosque was hoping that their case would be sealed. He could not have to check the box. The felony wouldn't be a problem because it would be expunged marks, meaning he would not be having to acknowledge for all. Your employment or background checks that he was a committed found exactly right. Exactly right. Did you ask the prosecuting attorney why, when his thumb and others didn't want to get a felony and there the victims, so presumably their views
A lot of we'd why they went ahead with the felony. I did ask him that he saw he's a thoughtful guy. The prosecuting attorney, he said, you know, look actions have consequences, we take into account what the victims want, but it is ultimately we, the state that make the argument, make the church and we believe that this was what was fair. In this case, I mean in fact, ego trip to be fair to the prosecutor. Imagine the opposite! Imagine you know this terrible thing happens this mosque in Arkansas, Arabic and laughs. Walks away prosecutor says you know no big deal right, give him a misdemeanor. We wouldn T have said about that to write what in well with. What would that signal about the place of today was the lives of some in our country on the protection of basic graffiti afford
exactly right here in Omaha vandals. Do Islamic Centre for the third time in the muslim community, worries a welcome New video shows two men: vandalism use Islamic Centre and Murfreesboro earlier this week now detectives hope someone will look lightning mosque come after a woman has caught on camera scenario When those and dripping strips undertaken in the morning. The dome was the organ parson rarest better, I would use reporter Eric hung lie tidy. Still, please tell us, they are working solid, leads in the vandalism of a month operated by the islamic society, essential Florida, local and federal, we're theory. It said earlier role against the war of the Philadelphia Mars had presented as integrating Erasmus Hospital him. That's right increased security at last to the frost, Petrol Atlanta. After four of them received right along one last, a letter in which that'll freedom
and your kind of faith we undermine that receives I'll, go, get a load of writing email. Elvira Bell was ugly guy. You go to the hospital you My car, you go with other hospital, please be able the almost alone.
And nobody how problem they always like, as we always treat people good with. So much is on a phobia at this point kind of baked into american life. It might be hard for listeners to view what Abe dead as an innocent blunder. What did her Sharm? Think of that explanation? Edith showers of to mind me. He did very much thank this. Was an individual acts. It didn't really represent what forts miss thought of Muslims. The fact is, Portsmouth didn't think really anything amendment, because it in for the most part. It didn't know that Muslims were there, so in some weird way. His shop talks about this vandalism as something that, in the end, was very good for muslims efforts method
them to stand up and show the community who they were made. People notice them when this happen Hautala was. It was just like ravine. That's what we need can reveal ourselves for the community. We are here and they were victims in this situation. Would it in this quiet conversation at home at night in over the dinner table, or perhaps not even over the dinner table, because you don't want your kids to hear in the bedroom between husbands and wives in families became very public and was sort of connected. These two parts of this is of this town. The society that you haven't had to grapple with these things out in the open before
When people, when it first happened, many many people in town called the mosque and a man called crying saying. I can't believe this happened in Fort Smith and this can have been Christians. Who did this and the person in the mosque entering the phone said? I know exactly what you mean. I feel that every single time I the nicest bombing on tv they can't be Muslims two the Muslims in Fort Psmith, see aid as a kind of victim, I think has shown. Does I think Doctrine Austria does? I think many people do I that is the way that he Sharm in the way that doctor NA street about Abe is with sympathy.
And understanding that, in this county in this part of work and saw, is very, very difficult to be poor, have a felony charge and make it it's hard. In your conversations with him. Does he say a that? He still one day hopes to be able to meet with so there's a restraining order against aid and the other two defendants they are not allowed to go to the mosque and not allowed to meet the people from the mosque. So was a big disappointment. It was a big disappointment for the mosque. Eddie was bigger disappointment in some ways for ape that he was unable to have that closure, so there are left kind of veto they'll have to imagine what each other is like
and their left to imagine what that feeling of closure might be. You wanna talk to them today, like if you were to tell them something to do with. You said at a price that priority will over a hundred times. Man, that's a good question. I already know the conversation we go. You will you wanna say was in your heart, you eyes out the? How sorry I am how grateful I am for them. Forgivingly, you know and showing someone support for for me in the others, like this No, it's amazing to about just how merciful they wore towards me
Epps I hope I can call you. My name is annex. I heard a lot about you. Here at the measure to the mosque, and I just want to tell you that we love you. Man and you know, will forget you the moment sent a letter, we were done holding grudges with you and everything it makes mistakes. I hope you find it in your serve to forgive yourself a news. This to me, move with your life and be the best you can, and you can count on us anytime, you feel like it will find a way to contact you who will never give up on you right. Ok, my baby. I'm sorry! I never met you before. I have upset with you did this initially
I didn't know. What you wrote was that I want you to know that we have forgiven I would like very much committed a legit. We want to know who you are, and I think things would be much better in the future between both of us. So I'm hoping you accept my invitation and will see you hopefully soon.
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President Trump travelled to the coastal city of corporate Christie to survey the damaged and promises is administration would do everything it could to help with the recovery it's better than that. Thank you all. Finally, on Tuesday we told you the story of Jack, Herrera, who is debating whether to stay or leave as floodwater.
Surrounded her home, every Jacqueline, hey, Jacqueline, it's Michael Barbara from the New York Times, might felt by an entire earthquake national guard and I'm getting right now that in our history with my pulse greeted my neighbour from some room, so sorry to hear that you had to leave at least them out of their absolutely. I'm glad you're, you're, ok and then you have accurate, and yet there are national bird, I'm in narrow convoy. Right now I gotta get off the track. You look at. Why? Don't you try? Michael Barbaro, I see you do you avoid,
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Transcript generated on 2020-07-18.